# NTSB MIA93LA151: Mooney M20J, N3896H, Magee, MS, July 8, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 8, 1993, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Magee, MS - Coordinates: 31.870147, -89.729499 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8701&lon=-89.7295&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 25, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37368 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93LA151 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37368/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA151 ## Probable cause INSTALLATION OF AN INCORRECT OIL FILTER ADAPTER PLATE STUD WHICH SECURES THE PLATE TO THE ACCESSORY CASE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal - fluid,oil - leak - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - powerplant - seized - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - open field - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command ## Analysis THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT, A MECHANIC CHANGED THE ENGINE OIL BUT DID NOT RUN THE ENGINE AFTER TO CHECK FOR OIL LEAKS. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE OIL QUANTITY WAS FULL BEFORE DEPARTURE. DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD GEAR-UP. THE ENGINE WAS REMOVED AND SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR EXAMINATION. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT A SECTION OF GASKET BETWEEN THE ACCESSORY CASE AND THE OIL FILTER ADAPTER PLATE WAS MISSING. ALSO, THE OIL FILTER ADAPTER PLATE STUD WHICH SECURES THE PLATE TO THE ACCESSORY CASE WAS INCORRECT. AS A RESULT, THE ADAPTER PLATE WAS LOOSE. THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO OIL STARVATION WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE OIL EXITING THE ENGINE PAST THE GASKET. ## Factual narrative On July 8, 1993, about 1445 central daylight time, a Mooney M20J, N3896H, registered to the pilot, William R. Capps, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Magee, Mississippi, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The flight originated about 1415 from the Paul Pittman Memorial Airport, Tylertown, Mississippi. The day before the accident flight, the engine oil was changed but the mechanic did not run the engine after to check for oil leaks. The pilot stated that before departure, the oil quantity was full. The flight departed and during cruise flight, the engine seized. The pilot landed the airplane landing gear up in a field. The engine was removed from the airplane and sent to the manufacturer for further examination. Examination of the engine revealed that a section of gasket between the accessory case and the oil filter adapter plate was missing. Also, the threaded bolt which secures the oil filter adapter plate to the accessory section was an incorrect part. As a result, the adapter plate could not be tightened against the accessory case. According to the teardown report, the engine failure was due to the loss of lubrication which was due to an improperly assembled oil filter adapter plate and gasket. The wreckage was released to Joel Clark of Clark Aviation, Inc., on November 15, 1993. ## Aircraft - Registration: N3896H (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-0980 - Airframe hours: 2184 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Capps, William R. - Registered owner: Capps, William R. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 4, 1993, 49 hours before - Departed: T36, TYLERTOWN, MS - Destination: 50J, MONCKS CORNER, SC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,117 total, 123 in this make and model, 1,009 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: JAN, 30 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19930708022809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930708022809A), Jul 8, 1993: Mooney M20J, Magee, MS, Substantial damage. Had oil change prior flight. Engine siezed. Landed in field gear up. Oil filter seal missing. Adapter plate loose. From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.