# NTSB MKC83FA084: Cassutt III M Sport, N1790, Hiawatha, KS, March 31, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 31, 1983, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Hiawatha, KS
- Coordinates: 39.850814, -95.529968 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8508&lon=-95.5300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33323
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83FA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33323/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83FA084

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - lubricating system - loose (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fluid,oil - leak (cause)
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - dirty(foggy) (cause)
  - visual lookout - reduced (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE AT 5500 FT MSL, THE PLT NOTICED AN OIL FILM START TO COVER THE WINDSHIELD OF THE HOME BUILT ACFT. AT THAT TIME, HE WAS APPROACHING HIAWATH, KS, SO HE DIVERTED TO THE HIAWATHA ARPT. BY THE TIME HE ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TO LAND, THE OIL RESTRICTED HIS FORWARD VISIBILITY. ON FINAL APPROACH, THE PLT S-TURNED TO KEEP HIMSELF ORIENTED WITH THE RWY. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RWY & THE GEAR COLLAPSED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE CRANKSHAFT PLUG, LYCOMING PN STD-1211, WAS LOOSE & DISTORTED, THUS ALLOWING OIL TO EXIT THE ENG AT THE PROPELLER. THE PLT STATED THAT AN OIL LEAK HAD PREVIOUSLLY DEVELOPED. HE SAID A MECHANIC USED A HAMMER TO RESEAT THE PLUG. AN EXAM OF THE PLUG REVEALED AN OFF-CENTERED INDENTATION ON THE PLUG'S FACE & DRIED SILICONE ADHESIVE AROUND ITS OUTER CIRCUMFERENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1790](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1790-1998-12-17), registration cancelled 1998-12-17, S/N 1002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CASSUTT III M SPORT (III M SPOR)
- Registry model: [Cassutt III M SPORT](https://openairdocs.org/model/cassutt-iii-m-sport) (registry code 05601E5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1002
- Airframe hours: 540
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John A. Rolfsmeyer
- Registered owner: Lawrence L. Littlefield
- Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 1983
- Departed: MHK, MANHATTAN, KS
- Destination: MSN, MADISON, WI
- Airport: K87, Hiawatha, runway 17, 3,780 × 25 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 409 total, 28 in this make and model, 312 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: STJ, 28 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 19830331010419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830331010419A), Mar 31, 1983: Amtrsx CASSUTT3M, Hiawatha, KS, Substantial damage. Pilot's vision was restricted from oil on windshield. Control was lost during landing.

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.

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