Piper PA-12 N3960M

Summary

On 14 May 2022 at about 21:30 local time, a Piper PA-12 registered N3960M was involved in an accident near Enterprise, Oregon, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 May 2022 at 21:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Enterprise, Oregon, United States

Nearest airport

Enterprise Municipal Airport (8S4)

Coordinates

45.4160, -117.2512

Aircraft

Piper PA-12

Registration

N3960M

Category

Airplane

Year built

1947

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR22LA177

Nobody was injured.

The inadequate maintenance and inspection of the crankshaft expansion plug, which resulted in the separation of the expansion plug from the crankshaft and the subsequent loss of oil and windshield obstruction during departure.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that shortly after departure, about 700 ft above ground level (agl), the windshield was sprayed with oil. He turned and entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern and attempted to land on the runway. He reported that he was too high during the approach and aborted the landing. On the second attempt to land on runway 30, the oil spray was getting worse, and the pilot made a precautionary landing resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage. The postaccident examination of the airplane and interview with the mechanic revealed that the expansion plug was improperly installed and had separated from the end of the crankshaft, causing oil to exit through the propeller spinner resulting in the oil spray on the windshield.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.