Aviation Crash Map

Mayala DRAGONFLY N4478V

30 September 1998 · Avon, Montana, United States · Minor injuries

Summary

On 30 September 1998 at about 15:45 local time, a Mayala DRAGONFLY registered N4478V was involved in an accident near Avon, Montana, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 15:45
Classification
Accident
Location
Avon, Montana, United States
Coordinates
46.6507, -112.6006
Aircraft
Mayala DRAGONFLY
Registration
N4478V
Category
Airplane
Engines
1
Operator
Not recorded
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Personal
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Route
Helena → Unknown
Aircraft damage
Destroyed
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
SEA98LA192

People

1 person had minor injuries.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
1 0 0 1 0

Probable cause

Failure of the engine crankshaft aft oil seal resulting in the loss of engine oil, and rough terrain during the forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot-in-command/owner of the homebuilt Volkswagen-engine powered Dragonfly departed Helena, Montana, uneventfully. After approximately 30 minutes of flight he observed the engine oil pressure decrease to zero in less than two minutes with a concurrent increase in oil temperature. He then executed a forced landing in a rough pasture during which the aircraft bounced and then cartwheeled. Post-crash examination revealed oil on the aircraft's firewall and underside. Further examination revealed that the engine rear crankshaft seal was deformed and the neoprene gasket was missing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other Mayala DRAGONFLY accidents

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
25 Aug 1986 Mayala DRAGONFLY
N4478V
Helena, Montana, United States Hjalmer A. Mayala Serious injuries -

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All 170,864 records in United States