Socata TB-20 N110U

Summary

On 28 June 2004 at about 21:39 local time, a Socata TB-20 registered N110U was involved in an accident near Perris, California, United States. 5 people were 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

28 June 2004 at 21:39

Classification

Accident

Location

Perris, California, United States

Coordinates

33.8000, -117.4167

Aircraft

Socata TB-20

Registration

N110U

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Murrieta → Reno

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX04LA251

Nobody was injured.

A loss of engine power due to oil exhaustion as a result of the mechanic's use of an incorrect gasket during the installation of the vacuum pump.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane collided with ground obstructions during a forced landing following a catastrophic engine failure due to oil exhaustion during cruise flight. Just after achieving cruise altitude the pilot was scanning the cockpit gauges and he noticed the oil pressure gauge indicating a loss of pressure, with the oil warning light flickering intermittently. About 5 minutes later, the engine started to vibrate, and subsequently seized, making a loud bang. The airplane began to descend about 1,000 feet per minute, and the pilot selected a dirt field to perform an emergency landing. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted a berm. An engine examination revealed that the inside top of the engine cowling showed a concentration of oil near the firewall on the left side, which is the approximate location of the vacuum pump. Removal of the vacuum pump revealed an oily film on both sides of the pump gasket, which is seated between the vacuum pump flange and the engine accessory case flange. The vacuum pump had been installed about 0.5 hours prior to the accident. The mechanic who installed the pump said he used the gasket that was supplied with the pump. The manufacturer of the vacuum pump reported that they supply a gasket (part number AS3491-01) with their pump. In the TB-20 parts manual, the airplane manufacturer specifies that the gasket required is part number Z00.N7423254013, which they cross-reference with Textron Lycoming part number 8313. The investigation was unable to cross-reference or establish an equivalency between the AS3491-01 gasket supplied by the pump manufacturer with either the Lycoming or Socata specified gasket.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.