# NTSB NYC98LA143: Taylorcraft BL-65, N27616, Bedford, PA, July 14, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 14, 1998, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Bedford, PA - Coordinates: 40.009559, -78.499366 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0096&lon=-78.4994&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43208 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA143 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43208/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA143 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection in which he failed to secure the oil filler cap, and his misjudgment of distance and altitude from the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - lubricating system,oil filler cap - missing - fluid,oil - siphoning - Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - distance/altitude - misjudged - On ground/water collision with object, landing - object - fence ## Analysis The pilot added engine oil before the flight. After takeoff, he noticed oil on the airplane's windshield. He returned to the airport, but reduced power early, landed about 500 feet short of the runway, and struck a fence post. The oil filler cap was found between two cylinders, 4 1/2 quarts of oil were found in the engine, and there was no evidence of any mechanical malfunction. Despite numerous requests, including a subpoena, the pilot did not provide a completed Pilot/Operator Report. The pilot did not have a current medical certificate, nor a current biennial flight review. On his last medical certificate application, in 1993, the pilot reported a total flight time of 920 hours. However, there was no evidence of any flight time since then. There was also no evidence of pilot competency in either normal or emergency procedures, in any aircraft. ## Factual narrative On July 14, 1998, about 1530 Eastern Daylight Time, a Taylorcraft BL-65, N27616, was substantially damaged on approach to Bedford County Airport (HMZ), Bedford, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot was not injured, and the passenger sustained a minor injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the pilot added engine oil before the flight. After takeoff, the pilot noticed oil on the airplane's windshield. He returned to the airport, but reduced power early, landed about 500 feet short of the runway, and struck a fence post. According to a witness, postflight examination revealed that the oil filler cap was not in place, but located between two cylinders. The Inspector stated that there were 4 1/2 quarts of oil remaining in the engine, and that there was no evidence of any mechanical malfunction. The pilot was requested, on numerous occasions, by both letter and telephone, to complete a Pilot/Operator Report, as required by federal law. The pilot did not provide the completed report, nor did he respond to a subpoena to appear at the Safety Board regional headquarters with the required information. The pilot did not have a current medical certificate, nor was there any record of a current biennial flight review. On his last medical certificate application, in 1993, the pilot reported a total flight time of 920 hours. However, there was no evidence of any flight time since then. There was also no evidence of pilot competency in either normal or emergency procedures, in any aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N27616](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27616-2012-08-27), registration cancelled 2012-08-27, S/N 2258, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Taylorcraft BL-65 - Registry model: [Taylorcraft BL-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bl-65) (registry code 8850350) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-145B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-145b-series) (registry code 41502, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2258 - Engines: Lycoming O-145B 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Joseph P. Petrof - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: B17 - Airport: HMZ, Bedford County Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 920 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PIT, 85 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 19980714024869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980714024869A), Jul 14, 1998: Tcraft BL65, Bedford, PA, Substantial damage. (-23)A/c tried to return to the airport after takeoff due to oil on the windshields. Installation of the aircraft showed the right wing had broken both spars,… 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.