# NTSB NYC94LA012: Luscombe T8F, N1859B, Vernon, NJ, October 14, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 14, 1993, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Vernon, NJ - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 26, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38702 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC94LA012 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38702/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA012 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to detect an unsecured dipstick, resulting in oil starvation and the loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - normal - lubricating system - not secured (contributing factor) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,oil - starvation (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED A 'POWER LOSS AND NO OIL PRESSURE.' HE INITIATED A FORCED LANDING ONTO A FIELD, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER DURING THE LANDING ROLL. DURING AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE, THE OIL DIPSTICK WAS FOUND UNSECURED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ## Factual narrative On Thursday, October 14, 1993, at 1630 eastern daylight time, a Luscombe T8F, N1859B, registered to and piloted by Robert L. Bahruth, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing in a field near Vernon, New Jersey. The pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR 91. The pilot observed a loss of engine oil pressure, while in cruise flight. Engine failure occurred, and he initiated a forced landing to a nearby field. During the landing roll, the landing gear contacted soft terrain and the airplane nosed over. Mr. Martin J. Lynn, Aviation Safety Inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration, conducted an examination of the wreckage and an interview with the pilot. In his report, Mr. Lynn stated: The smell of fuel was prevalent...the bottom of the engine had significant quantities of engine oil. The oil was very clean. Upon opening the engine compartment, it was noticed that the oil dipstick was lying unsecured in the engine compartment. On October 26, 1993, FAA Inspectors Lynn and McCoy conducted an additional examination of the engine at the Greenwood Lake Airport, West Milford, New Jersey. In his report, Mr. Lynn stated: The engine had seized and the seizure may have been caused by a piston or a camshaft...No cracks in the crankcase or oil system that could have caused a massive oil leak were discovered. There was a spray pattern of oil on the inside portion of the cowling that would indicate that the oil blew out the oil filler neck. Mr. Lynn's report continued: When I questioned him [the pilot] on whether or not he had verified that the oil cap was secured prior to takeoff he said he had not verified [that] it was secured. Apparently he had been working on the aircraft all day and assisted in the oil change and assumed everything was secured prior to takeoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1859B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1859B), registered now, S/N 6286 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE T8F - Registry model: [Luscombe T-8F](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-t-8f) (registry code 8190116) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 6286 - Airframe hours: 1605 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert L. Bahruth - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 14, 1993, 0 hours before - Departed: NONE, LEWIS LANDING, NJ - Destination: N07, LINCOLN PARK, NJ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,158 total, 200 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °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 19931014039459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931014039459A), Oct 14, 1993: Luscom T8F, Vernon, NJ, Substantial damage. Lost oil pressure. Engine failed. Nosed over on forced landing. Dipstick laying loose. Lost oil through oil filler. ## Other investigations on N1859B (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 DEN69D0070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN69D0070), Jul 31, 1968: Luscombe T-8F (N1859B), Rock Springs, WY, substantial damage 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.