Christen PITTS S2B N53385

Summary

On 13 March 1992 at about 13:20 local time, a Christen PITTS S2B registered N53385, operated by Richard D Schauss, was involved in an accident near Schellsburg, Pennsylvania, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 March 1992 at 13:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Schellsburg, Pennsylvania, United States

Coordinates

40.0395, -78.6398

Aircraft

Christen PITTS S2B

Registration

N53385

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Richard D Schauss

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Maytown → Cincinati

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

BFO92LA036

2 people had minor injuries.

THE TOTAL BLOCKAGE OF THE OIL BREATHER LINE CAUSING EXCESSIVE PRESSURE IN THE ENGINE, RESULTING IN OIL LEAKAGE AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE FAILURE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

WHILE EN ROUTE TO CINCINATI, OH, APPROX ONE HOUR AFTER TAKEOFF FROM MAYTOWN, PA, THE PLT AND PASSENGER OBSERVED OIL ON THE AIRPLANE'S WINDSCREEN. THE PLT STATED HE DECIDED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING, BUT AS SOON AS HE TURNED TOWARDS THE ALTERNATE AIRPORT, HE NOTICED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL FLOWING ACROSS THE AIRPLANE'S CLEAR FLOORBOARD. THE PLT SAID HE STARTED TO LOOK FOR SUITABLE TERRAIN TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LDG, BUT THERE WAS NONE. AT THIS TIME, THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE WAS READING ZERO. HE SAID HE PULLED THE POWER BACK TO AN IDLE SETTING, HOPING THAT IF HE NEEDED POWER LATER, THE ENGINE MIGHT STILL BE FUNCTIONAL. HE SAID HE FLEW THE AIRPLANE INTO A SMALL CLEARING IN THE WOODED TERRAIN. THE AIRPLANE HIT THE FIELD, TURNED 90 DEGREES IN DIRECTION, AND SLID ON THE RIGHT WING FOR 100 FEET, COMING TO REST APPROX 250 FT FROM A TREELINE. ON SCENE INVESTIGATIONS REVEALED THAT THE OIL BREATHER LINE HAD ACCUMULATED ICE NEAR THE END OF THE LINE AND WAS TOTALLY BLOCKED. THE OIL LEAK ORIGINATED FROM THE CRANKSHAFT OIL SEAL.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.