# NTSB SEA90LA159: Cessna 182H, N2473X, Wenatchee, WA, August 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1990, 16:23 local (23:23 UTC)
- Place: Wenatchee, WA
- Coordinates: 47.370525, -120.349929 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3705&lon=-120.3499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41260
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41260/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA159

## Probable cause

IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE OIL FILTER GASKET BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL RESULTING IN LOSS OF ENGINE OIL AND SEIZURE OF THE ENGINE.

## 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, climb - to cruise
  - lubricating system,oil gasket - incorrect (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE LOST PARTIAL POWER AND THE PILOT NOTED THAT OIL PRESSURE HAD DROPPED TO O. THE PILOT TURNED AROUND TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT; HOWEVER, EN ROUTE, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A WHEAT FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. DURING THE POST CRASH INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE OIL GASKET WAS CREASED OR FOLDED OVER APPROXIMATELY HALF WAY AROUND THE OUTER EDGE AND A SMALL NOTCH OF THE RUBBER WAS MISSING FROM THE OUTER EDGE. THE FILTER AND OIL HAD JUST BEEN CHANGED ON THE AIRPLANE AND THIS WAS THE FIRST FLIGHT AFTER THAT MAINTENANCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2473X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2473X-2003-05-28), registration cancelled 2003-05-28, S/N 18256373, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182H
- Registry model: [Cessna 182H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182h) (registry code 2072718) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18256373
- Airframe hours: 3337
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Porter, David R.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Last inspection: Annual, June 7, 1990, 28 hours before
- Destination: TIW, TACOMA, WA
- Flight plan: VFR/IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 10,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900810034599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900810034599A), Aug 10, 1990: Cessna 182H, Wenatchee, WA, Substantial damage. Lost oil pressure on departure. Engine quit. Nosed over landing. Oil ha been changed. Oil filter improperly fitted.

## Other investigations on N2473X (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 SEA74DYG19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74DYG19), Oct 16, 1973: Cessna 182H (N2473X), Wenatchee, WA, 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.

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