# NTSB NYC90LA111: Piper PA-28-161, N8120C, Fraconia, PA, May 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1990, 15:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Fraconia, PA
- Coordinates: 41.170829, -76.870666 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1708&lon=-76.8707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36645
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36645/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA111

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED TO FLARE FOR LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: A POWER LOSS DUE TO OIL EXHAUSTION, THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO CONDUCT AN ADEQUATE PRE-FLIGHT AND DEPARTING WITH THE OIL DIP STICK LOOSE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil filler cap - loose (cause)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - open field
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ENGINE LOST POWER APPROX 5 MIN AFTER T.O. THE PILOT REPORTED HE EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING AND LANDED HARD. POST CRASH EXAMINATION SHOWED NO OIL IN THE ENGINE CASE AND THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS ATTRIBUTED TO OIL EXHAUSTION. ONE ENGINE OIL COOLER LINE WAS FOUND TO BE OOZING OIL, HOWEVER, NO OIL LINE FRACTURES WERE REPORTED. THE PILOT WAS REPORTED TO HAVE IMMEDIATELY OPENED UP THE ENGINE COWLING AND EXAMINED THE ENGINE AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE FAA REPORTED THE OIL DIP STICK IN PLACE, HOWEVER, THE PAINT ABOVE IT WAS CHIPPED AND THE METAL SHINY. IN ADDITION, THEY REPORTED A 'V' PATTERN OF OIL SPRAYED ON THE ENGINE COWLING ABOVE THE OIL DIP STICK, WHICH RAN TO THE BACK OF THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8120C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8120C-1999-02-02), registration cancelled 1999-02-02, S/N 28-8016135 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-161
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8016135
- Airframe hours: 1400
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul Zarroli, Jr.
- Registered owner: Remo Dilello
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 25, 1989, 80 hours before
- Departed: UKT, QUAKERTOWN, PA
- Destination: N67, BLUE BELL, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 197 total, 23 in this make and model, 170 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 5 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 50 °F

## 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 19900525017689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900525017689A), May 25, 1990: Piper PA28161, Fraconia, PA, Substantial damage. Rough engine lost oil pressure. Made hard landing in a field. Oil cooler upper oil line had deteriorated. Leaked.

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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