# NTSB WPR13LA085: Jeremiah Jackson Vans RV-10, N262NJ, Julian, CA, January 5, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 5, 2013, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Julian, CA - Coordinates: 33.002498, -116.718055 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0025&lon=-116.7181&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 19, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 85966 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13LA085 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85966/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85966 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA085 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to oil starvation as a result of a disconnected oil line. Contributing to the accident was an insufficiently tightened oil line fitting. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: oil](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Jeremiah Jackson VANS RV-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md?model=05632DM), [All aircraft, 174 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md) - [Misc hardware: fasteners](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071430): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Jeremiah Jackson VANS RV-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071430/cases.md?model=05632DM), [All aircraft, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071430/cases.md) - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder (probable cause); cases with it: [Jeremiah Jackson VANS RV-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=05632DM), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md) - [Eng oil sys (airframe furnish): eng oil dist (airframe furn)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057920): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Jeremiah Jackson VANS RV-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057920/cases.md?model=05632DM), [All aircraft, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057920/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Jeremiah Jackson VANS RV-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=05632DM), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Jeremiah Jackson VANS RV-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05632DM), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Jeremiah Jackson VANS RV-10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05632DM), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that this was the fourth flight of the airplane's phase one flight testing. About 2 hours into the flight (with an airplane total time of 6 hours), the pilot observed the oil pressure reduce rapidly to about 5 pounds per square inch. He did not notice any other problems with the airplane or engine, but he declared an emergency and requested a direct approach to a nearby airport. Within 5 minutes, the engine lost all oil pressure and the engine lost power. The airplane was unable to reach any available airstrips; therefore, the pilot turned toward a winding dirt road on top of a ridge. While maneuvering to avoid obstacles at a trailhead, the airplane hit a steep embankment and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. During a postaccident examination, an oil line near the oil filter was found to be disconnected, most likely due to insufficient tightening of the fitting, which led to its loosening during cruise flight. The loosened fitting allowed oil to spray into the cowling and exit out the lower nose area. The pilot stated that there were no indications of oil leakage during the preflight inspection. ## Factual narrative On January 5, 2013, about 1300 Pacific standard time, an experimental Jeremiah Jackson Vans RV-10, N262NJ, made an off-field forced landing near Julian, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage from impact forces. The local personal flight departed Ramona, California, about 1045. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.The pilot reported that the airplane was in phase one flight testing. The airplane and engine had a total time of 6 hours, and this was the fourth test flight. He was about 2 hours into his flight, and heading toward his home airport with the airplane level at 8,500 feet mean sea level. He observed the oil pressure go down rapidly to about 5 pounds per square inch (psi), but did not notice any other problems with the airplane or engine. He declared an emergency, and requested a direct approach to Ramona airport, runway 27. Within 5 minutes, the engine lost all oil pressure, and the engine seized. He was unable to make any available airstrips, and observed a steep gorge ahead of him. He turned, and elected to land on a winding dirt road on top of a ridge. He avoided trees and cars parked at a trailhead, but the airplane hit a steep embankment. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage. He observed that an oil line just to the right of the oil filter was disconnected. Oil sprayed into the cowling, and exited out the lower nose at approximately the 5:30-6 o'clock position. The pilot stated that there were no indications of oil leakage during the preflight inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N262NJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N262NJ), registered now, S/N 41147, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Jeremiah Jackson Vans RV-10 - Registry model: [Jeremiah Jackson VANS RV-10](https://openairdocs.org/model/jeremiah-jackson-vans-rv-10) (registry code 05632DM) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41585, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 41147 - Airframe hours: 6 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: J2Environmental LLC - Registered owner: J2Environmental LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 26, 2012 - Departed: RNM, Ramona, CA - Destination: RNM, Ramona, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 2,797 total, 6 in this make and model, 2,749 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: KRNM, 14 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 20130105000189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130105000189A), Jan 5, 2013: Jeremiah Jackson VANS RV-10, Julian, CA, Substantial damage. At 1040 hrs, acft departed rnm for 4th test flight. At 1245 hrs, approx 22NM from rnm at 8500FT asl, pilot observed rapid drop and low oil pressure(5PSI).pilot… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 13, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85966. 5.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120 (item 1, .PDF, 5.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418951&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120%20-Redacted.PDF - FAA Exam Results (item 2, .PDF, 15 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418950&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Exam%20Results%20-Redacted.PDF 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.