Piper PA-28R-200 N53EN

Summary

On 3 October 1998 at about 13:30 local time, a Piper PA-28R-200 registered N53EN, operated by Aeronautical Services, Inc., was involved in an accident near Punta Gorda, Florida, 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

3 October 1998 at 13:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Punta Gorda, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Charlotte County (PGD)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Piper PA-28R-200

Registration

N53EN

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Aeronautical Services, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA99LA003

1 person had minor injuries.

The failure of maintenance personnel to refill the engine oil following the draining of the oil and changing of the oil filter. Also, inadequate preflight of the airplane by the pilot for his failure to noted the absence of engine oil.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The engine oil was reportedly changed and replenished then the engine was started and operated for about 5-10 minutes. The pilot and General Manager reported verifying that the engine oil quantity was full before the flight departed. During the upwind leg of the second touch-and-go landing, the engine failed. While descending for a forced landing, the airplane collided with trees then the ground. Examination of the airplane by an FAA airworthiness inspector 2 days after the accident revealed no evidence of oil discharge during flight. Disassembly of the engine revealed that the Nos. 2 and 4 connecting rod bearings were failed, and the Nos. 1 and 3 connecting rod bearings were damaged. Minimal oil was found in the engine. No failure or malfunction was noted on the oil pump gears. The hour meter historically indicated a greater elapsed time than the cable driven tachometer during flights of varying lengths; however, during the accident flight, the tachometer elapsed time was greater than the hour meter time. The hour meter is electrically activated by a pressure switch which requires a minimum oil pressure of 3 psi. No malfunction of the hour meter and pressure switch were noted when tested post accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.