N20128

On Sunday, August 22, 1993, at 1230 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 177B, N20128, registered to Charles Burns, and piloted by Fred C. Ziemer, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing in Skaneateles, New York. The pilot was seriously injured, and the passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR 91.

The pilot departed the Skaneateles Aero Drome on runway 10. In his report, the pilot stated:

Did run-up and departed....at approximately 1500 ft...the engine began to run rough, and stopped suddenly.

The pilot was unable to restart the engine, and he initiated a forced landing. The airplane collided with trees during the landing.

Federal Aviation Administration Inspectors Tony James and Edward Dick conducted an examination of the wreckage. In his report, Mr. James stated:

...inspection of the dip stick-no oil appeared. Visit to FBO...I saw oil on the taxiway where the A/C was parked and when the A/C taxied out the oil trail led to the run-up and takeoff.

Mr. Dick's report stated:

Upon arrival at the accident site, I noticed the following: 1) The aircraft was in an upright position...3) The engine was intact...no major engine failure was noted. 4) upon further inspection, the only area of oil leakage was directly below the oil canister that contained the oil filter...5) The oil canister was removed from the housing and upon doing so noticed the oil seal between the canister and housing was slipped completely into the housing...6) The seal was removed and was crushed inward...The oil canister was crushed into the housing during improper installation. This led to complete oil loss and engine stopping.