- Date
- June 16, 1992, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place
- Felton, PA
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N21REPiper PA-24-180
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report August 26, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19920616020719A
- Case key
- 37173
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
A precautionary landing in unsuitable terrain. An additional cause was the failure of the mechanic to tighten the oil return line on the number three cylinder. A factor related to the accident was the pressure the mechanic felt to complete the job in a timely manner.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
After takeoff, following the installation of a propeller governor oil line, a loss of oil pressure was noticed. A precautionary landing was made in a wheat field. The oil return line from the number three cylinder was found disconnected. The mechanic who performed the work stated he was a one man shop and due to difficulties, the job took 3 hours instead of the projected 1 1/2 hours. He also said he allowed customer pressure to override his standards.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N21RE
- Reported as
- Piper PA-24-180
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 24-1718
- Airframe hours
- 1,585
- Engine
- Lycoming O-360-A1A, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional · Part 91
- Operator
- Hugh J. Harmon
- Registered owner
- Hugh J. Harmon
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · September 1, 1991 · 72 hours before
- Departed
- 37PA · Smoketown, PA
- Destination
- FDK · Frederick, MD
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 49
- Certificates
- Flight instructor, Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Right
- Flight hours
- 14,000 total · 113 in this make and model · 13,800 as pilot in command · 20 in the last 90 days · 8 in the last 30 days · 2 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 180° at 12 knots
- Visibility
- 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature
- 77 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- LNS, 21 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.