Ryan NAVION N4171K

Summary

On 13 June 2016 at about 23:40 local time, a Ryan NAVION registered N4171K was involved in an accident near McMinnville, Oregon, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 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

13 June 2016 at 23:40

Classification

Accident

Location

McMinnville, Oregon, United States

Coordinates

45.2258, -123.1156

Aircraft

Ryan NAVION

Registration

N4171K

Category

Airplane

Year built

1948

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Albany → Renton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA16CA317

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to replace the oil filler cap following the preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine oil and engine power, an emergency landing, and impact with terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that about 15 minutes after takeoff he smelled something burning and the cabin filled with smoke. The pilot further reported that the engine lost power and that he was forced to maneuver for an emergency landing. After the loss of power, he heard a "clanging noise" from the engine. While landing in a field, the airplane impacted blueberry bushes and a fence, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. During a postaccident examination by the local law enforcement, it was revealed that the oil filler cap was not in place on the oil filler tube. The oil filler cap retaining chain was still attached to the oil cap and the oil filler tube. Upon further examination of the oil cap and the oil filler tube, no evidence of damage was noted. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.