# NTSB NYC08LA033: Piper PA-18-135, N3257B, Durbin, WV, November 6, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 6, 2007, 12:53 local (17:53 UTC) - Place: Durbin, WV - Coordinates: 38.570835, -79.935554 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5708&lon=-79.9356&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67067 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08LA033 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67067/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=67067 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08LA033 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power while in cruise flight due to the partially separated crankshaft oil seal. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - lubricating system,oil seal - failure (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot noticed an oil leak on the day prior to the accident, and asked a mechanic to examine the airplane, prior to his departure. The mechanic did not observe any significant indications of an oil leak and the pilot decided to depart for another airport where a company mechanic could further examine the engine. While en route to the destination airport, at an altitude of 5,000 feet, the pilot began to smell oil and observed smoke emanating from the engine. Shortly after, he heard an "explosion" and observed a "chunk of oil" blow out of the engine and cover the windshield. The oil pressure gauge continually decreased and the pilot looked for a place to perform a forced landing. He landed on a dirt road, during which the right wing struck a tree and was substantially damaged. Examination of the engine revealed the engine crankshaft oil seal was partially dislodged, and protruding from the front of the engine case. The most recent condition inspection was completed 2 months prior to the accident, with no anomalies noted. The airplane flew 43 hours since the inspection. ## Factual narrative On November 6, 2007, at 1253 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-18-135, N3257B, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Durbin, West Virginia. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight that originated at the Allegheny County Airport (AGC), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, destined for the Richmond International Airport (RIC), Richmond, Virginia. The positioning flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the pilot, the day before the accident he noticed a slow oil leak, and oil covering part of the windshield and firewall. He informed his company, and was told if the leak was not too serious, he should fly the airplane to RIC where a company mechanic could examine the engine. Prior to departure on the morning of the accident, a local mechanic examined the engine and did not observe a significant oil leak, so the pilot decided to depart for RIC. As the airplane approached 'Cheat Mountain' in West Virginia, at an altitude of 5,000 feet, the pilot began to smell oil and observed smoke emanating from the engine. Shortly after, he heard an "explosion" and observed a "chunk of oil" blow out of the engine and cover the windshield. The oil pressure gauge continually decreased and the pilot looked for a place to perform a forced landing. He landed on a dirt road, during which the right wing struck a tree. The airplane turned 90 degrees and came to rest upright. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. Examination of the engine revealed the engine crankshaft oil seal was partially dislodged, and protruding from the front of the engine case. The most recent annual inspection was completed on August 30, 2007, and the most recent condition inspection was completed on September 27, 2007, with no anomalies noted. The engine had accumulated 660 hours of operation since overhaul, at the time of the most recent condition inspection. The airplane flew 43 hours since the condition inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3257B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3257B), registered now, S/N 18-3275, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-18-135 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18-135](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-135) (registry code 7101820) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-3275 - Airframe hours: 27218 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Van Wagner Aerial Media - Registered owner: Seashore Advertising Corporation - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 1, 2007, 43 hours before - Departed: AGC, Pittsburgh, PA - Destination: RIC, Richmond, VA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2007; seat: front; flight hours: 2,261 total, 1,820 in this make and model, 2,176 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 12 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: SHD, 80 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 20071106829639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071106829639A), Nov 6, 2007: Piper PA18135, Durbin, WV, Substantial damage. (-23) Airman stated he departed kagc at approximately 11:00 EST enroute to kric. Approximately two (2) hours into flight he heard a "pop" and oil covered the… ## Other investigations on N3257B (1) 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. - [NTSB MIA08LA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08LA130), Jun 28, 2008: Piper PA-18-135 (N3257B), Hollywood, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to achieve the proper touchdown point on landing and improper use of brakes. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the throttle cable attachment tab due to preexisting… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 3, 2008, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=67067. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 424 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444573&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 464 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40297704&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Statement (item 3, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40444572&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - FAA Statement (item 4, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40297705&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Maintenance Records (excerpt) (item 5, .PDF, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40297706&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20(excerpt)-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Crankshaft oil seal (item 6, .PDF, 591 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40297707&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Crankshaft%20oil%20seal-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Crankshaft oil seal 2 (item 7, .PDF, 586 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40297708&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Crankshaft%20oil%20seal%202-Master.PDF 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.