N43280

Substantial
Minor

Houts Avid Mark IVS/N: 1176D

Accident Details

Date
Friday, October 21, 2011
NTSB Number
CEN12CA035
Location
Hibbing, MN
Event ID
20111024X91908
Coordinates
47.386665, -92.838890
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The improper installation of a hose clamp, which resulted in an oil line rupture and subsequent loss of engine oil pressure.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
HOUTS
Serial Number
1176D
Engine Type
2-cycle
Year Built
1992
Model / ICAO
Avid Mark IVFEST
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
AVID MARK IV

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
MINER JEREMIAH K
Address
15044 NE 29TH ST
City
CAMBRIDGE
State / Zip Code
IA 50046-1063
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that during the local flight the engine experienced a loss of oil pressure and the cockpit began to fill with smoke. He immediately reduced engine power to idle and performed a forced landing to a nearby field. The airplane collided with a barbed-wire fence during the landing rollout and subsequently nosed-over. The fuselage, right wing, and vertical stabilizer were substantially damaged. A postaccident inspection revealed that the oil supply line to the oil cooler had ruptured, which allowed oil to come in contact with the engine's hot exhaust producing smoke. The rubber, automobile-style, oil line had failed immediately adjacent to its respective oil cooler inlet fitting. The hose-clamp used to secure the oil line to the inlet fitting was not properly positioned over the fitting, which allowed the unsupported hose-clamp to abrade through the oil line.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN12CA035