# NTSB WPR14LA207: Cessna 182, N97038, Arvin, CA, May 24, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 24, 2014, 12:11 local (19:11 UTC) - Place: Arvin, CA - Coordinates: 35.201667, -118.833053 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2017&lon=-118.8331&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: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report June 20, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA, Continental Motors - NTSB case key (mKey): 89263 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14LA207 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89263/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89263 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA207 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to reconnect the air-oil separator return line after completing an oil change, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to oil starvation. ## 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 · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md?model=2072702), [All aircraft, 174 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/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: [Cessna 182, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057920/cases.md?model=2072702), [All aircraft, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057920/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: [Cessna 182, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072702), [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: [Cessna 182, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072702), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot reported that, while in cruise flight, he noticed that the engine oil pressure had dropped. He declared an emergency and was initially given a heading to the closest airport. About 2-3 minutes later, he heard rattling noises from the engine, then the cabin filled with black smoke. He identified an open field and maneuvered for a forced landing. The airplane hit a berm and bounced, hitting several more berms, until it came to rest inverted. On-scene photographs showed that the belly of the airplane was coated with engine oil aft of the engine firewall. An engine examination identified that the air-oil separator return line was not connected to the return port located on a cylinder rocker cover. Maintenance records showed that the pilot had performed an oil change 4.3 hours before the accident. Since the oil filter is located behind the air-oil separator return line, it is likely that the pilot removed the air-oil separator return line to access the oil filter and failed to reconnect the line after replacing the filter. While in flight, oil slowly drained out of the air-oil separator return line and open return port, coating the belly of the airplane, until the engine experienced catastrophic failure due to oil starvation. ## Factual narrative On May 24, 2014, at 1211 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182Q, N97038, experienced a total loss of engine power and force landed in a field one mile south of Arvin, California. During the off airport landing the airplane nosed over, substantially damaging the tail and left lift strut. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the commercial pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 91, as a personal flight. Both the pilot and his single passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the flight, and a visual flight plan was not filed. The flight originated at Corona Municipal Airport, Corona, California.The pilot stated that an hour into the flight, while over the Tehachapi Mountains, he noticed that the engine oil pressure had dropped, but the oil temperature and cylinder temperatures were normal. He declared an emergency to Bakersfield Approach and was initially given vectors to Bakersfield Municipal Airport. About 2-3 minutes later he started hearing rattling noises coming from the engine and then the cockpit filled with black smoke. He identified an open field on his left and maneuvered to make that field but didn't realize it had crop furrows. The airplane hit the first berm hard, bounced 3-4 times hitting berms along the way, then the nose wheel hit a berm and flipped the airplane over onto its back. On scene photos showed that the belly of the airplane was coated with engine oil aft of the engine fire wall. An examination of the airplane and engine by the NTSB Investigator-in-Charge (IIC) and a technical representative from Continental Motors Incorporated was performed on September 30, 2014. The engine time indicated on the tachometer was 2,861.6 (hours). Investigators found the air-oil separator return line disconnected from the oil return port located on the rocker cover of the engine's number 1 cylinder. Oil staining was evident on the lower engine cowling below the number 1 cylinder. It was noted that the engine oil filter was located behind the air-oil separator return line. The left engine case half, upper section above the No 4 cylinder, exhibited a 6 x 4 inch hole just aft of the oil filler neck. The cylinders were removed and the case was separated into its halves. The crankshaft main bearings exhibited normal wear with no heat discoloration. The number 3 crankshaft throw bearing was shiny & polished showing very little heat discoloration. The number 4 crankshaft throw was dark black with a few gouges and exhibited extreme heat distress. The number 5 crankshaft throw was black and exhibited extreme heat distress. The number 6 connecting rod attached to the crankshaft throw was discolored dark gray, consistent with heat distress. The internal section of the engine case in line with the number 3 & 4 crankshaft throws exhibited internal repeated impact marks, metal removal, and damage to the oil galleries on both sides of the engine case. Examination of the enginelogbook revealed that the most recent annual inspection was performed on April 10, 2013, 2,828.2 hours total time, and 309.5 hours since major overhaul (SMOH). The last entry in the logbook was dated April 18, 2014, where the pilot/owner had performed an oil change, 2,857.3 hours total time ## Aircraft - Registration: [N97038](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N97038-2014-09-30), registration cancelled 2014-09-30, S/N 18266947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182 (Q) - Registry model: [Cessna 182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182) (registry code 2072702) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18266947 - Airframe hours: 2861.6 - Engines: Teledyne Continental O-470U(4) 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 10, 2013, 33 hours before - Departed: KAJO, Corona, CA - Destination: KPVT, Porterville, CA - Flight plan: VFR/IFR - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 80; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 11, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 3,687 total, 18 in the last 90 days, 3.5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 192 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: KBFL, 22 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 20140524013359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140524013359A), May 24, 2014: Cessna 182, Arvin, CA, Substantial damage. While enroute from corona CA. To porterville CA. The occupants of the aircraft first experienced a loss of power followed by smoke coming into the cockpit. The… ## Docket (11 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 20, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89263. 9.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451297&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 518 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451298&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Passenger Statement (item 3, .PDF, 46 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451299&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statement-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 4, .PDF, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451301&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Master.PDF - Wreckage Examination Report (item 5, .PDF, 760 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451302&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Wreckage%20Examination%20Report-Master.PDF - CMI Field Examination Report (item 6, .PDF, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451303&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CMI%20Field%20Examination%20Report-Master.PDF - Engine Logbook (Extract) (item 7, .PDF, 353 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451304&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Logbook%20(Extract)-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 8, .PDF, 309 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451305&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Master.PDF - Evidence Control Form (item 9, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451306&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Evidence%20Control%20Form-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 10, .PDF, 464 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451307&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.PDF - Photos (item 11, .PDF, 762 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451309&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.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.