Summary
On September 20, 2010, a Cessna 182D (N9071X) was involved in an incident near Houston, TX. All 4 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The loss of engine power during the initial climb due to decreased engine oil quantity and pressure as a result of the engine's oil cap not being adequately secured.
Shortly after departure, when the airplane was approximately 250-feet AGL (above ground level), oil began to “spray” on to the windshield. The pilot then checked the engine gauges and noticed a drop in oil pressure. As the pilot turned to the crosswind leg, the engine started to run “rough”, and he elected to conduct a 180-degree turn back to the runway. The airplane landed on about the last 250-feet of the runway and proceeded through a fence. The airplane sustained structural damage during the impact with the fence and came to rest upright, among several parked buses. An examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, revealed that the engine’s oil cap was off and hanging by its chain.
This incident is documented in NTSB report CEN10CA549. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N9071X.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The loss of engine power during the initial climb due to decreased engine oil quantity and pressure as a result of the engine's oil cap not being adequately secured.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
Shortly after departure, when the airplane was approximately 250-feet AGL (above ground level), oil began to “spray” on to the windshield. The pilot then checked the engine gauges and noticed a drop in oil pressure. As the pilot turned to the crosswind leg, the engine started to run “rough”, and he elected to conduct a 180-degree turn back to the runway. The airplane landed on about the last 250-feet of the runway and proceeded through a fence. The airplane sustained structural damage during the impact with the fence and came to rest upright, among several parked buses. An examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, revealed that the engine’s oil cap was off and hanging by its chain. The cap’s gasket appeared “worn”; however, the inspector could not determine when the cap came off. He added, that the pilot stated that the engine was serviced with oil prior to the flight, but the oil cap was secured.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN10CA549