- Date
- August 22, 1993, 12:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place
- Skaneateles, NY
- Injuries
- 1 serious, 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N20128Cessna 177B
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report September 26, 1994
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19930822029989A
- Case key
- 38643
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
The improper installation of the engine oil filter, and the subsequent loss of oil and engine power, resulting in forced landing and collsion with trees.
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
The pilot stated that after takeoff, 'the engine began to run rough, and stopped suddenly.' He performed a landing and struck trees. An examination by the FAA of the airport from which N20128 departed revealed a large oil spot at the location where the airplane had been parked. Examination of the engine revealed no oil. 'The oil filter canister was crushed into the housing.' In addition, the oil filter seal was 'slipped and deformed.'
Factual narrative
On Sunday, August 22, 1993, at 1230 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 177B, N20128, registered to Charles Burns, and piloted by Fred C. Ziemer, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing in Skaneateles, New York. The pilot was seriously injured, and the passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR 91.
The pilot departed the Skaneateles Aero Drome on runway 10. In his report, the pilot stated:
Did run-up and departed....at approximately 1500 ft...the engine began to run rough, and stopped suddenly.
The pilot was unable to restart the engine, and he initiated a forced landing. The airplane collided with trees during the landing.
Federal Aviation Administration Inspectors Tony James and Edward Dick conducted an examination of the wreckage. In his report, Mr. James stated:
...inspection of the dip stick-no oil appeared. Visit to FBO...I saw oil on the taxiway where the A/C was parked and when the A/C taxied out the oil trail led to the run-up and takeoff.
Mr. Dick's report stated:
Upon arrival at the accident site, I noticed the following: 1) The aircraft was in an upright position...3) The engine was intact...no major engine failure was noted. 4) upon further inspection, the only area of oil leakage was directly below the oil canister that contained the oil filter...5) The oil canister was removed from the housing and upon doing so noticed the oil seal between the canister and housing was slipped completely into the housing...6) The seal was removed and was crushed inward...The oil canister was crushed into the housing during improper installation. This led to complete oil loss and engine stopping.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N20128
- Reported as
- Cessna 177B
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 17702634
- Engine
- Lycoming O-360-A2F, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Charles Burns
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · December 14, 1992 · 35 hours before
- Destination
- WBW · Forty-Fort, NY
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 67
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 2,685 total · 35 in this make and model · 2,500 as pilot in command
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 81 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.