Mooney M20J N3896H

Summary

On 8 July 1993 at about 19:45 local time, a Mooney M20J registered N3896H, operated by Capps, William R., was involved in an accident near Magee, Mississippi, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 July 1993 at 19:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Magee, Mississippi, United States

Coordinates

31.8701, -89.7295

Aircraft

Mooney M20J

Registration

N3896H

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Capps, William R.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tylertown → Moncks Corner

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA93LA151

1 person had minor injuries.

INSTALLATION OF AN INCORRECT OIL FILTER ADAPTER PLATE STUD WHICH SECURES THE PLATE TO THE ACCESSORY CASE.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT, A MECHANIC CHANGED THE ENGINE OIL BUT DID NOT RUN THE ENGINE AFTER TO CHECK FOR OIL LEAKS. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE OIL QUANTITY WAS FULL BEFORE DEPARTURE. DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD GEAR-UP. THE ENGINE WAS REMOVED AND SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR EXAMINATION. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT A SECTION OF GASKET BETWEEN THE ACCESSORY CASE AND THE OIL FILTER ADAPTER PLATE WAS MISSING. ALSO, THE OIL FILTER ADAPTER PLATE STUD WHICH SECURES THE PLATE TO THE ACCESSORY CASE WAS INCORRECT. AS A RESULT, THE ADAPTER PLATE WAS LOOSE. THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO OIL STARVATION WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE OIL EXITING THE ENGINE PAST THE GASKET.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.