MANCHESTER, VT, USA
N70548
PIPER J3C-65
THE PILOT WAS FLYING AT CRUISE ALTITUDE WHEN HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT'S STATEMENT, HE MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AND FOUND THE OIL CAP WAS 'LOOSE'. HE SAID HE TIGHTENED THE CAP AND CHECKED THE OIL. JUST AFTER TAKING OFF AGAIN AT ABOUT 200 FEET THE ENGINE STARTED TO SMOKE AGAIN. HE ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD, BUT WAS TOO LOW TO MAKE THE INTENDED LANDING SITE AND STRUCK TREES DURING THE DESCENT. THE FAA EXAMINED THE WRECKAGE AND FOUND THE OIL CAP OPEN. THE FAA REINSTALLED THE CAP, FOUND NO DISCREPANCIES WITH THE SEAL, AND SAID THE CAP '..HAD A POSITIVE LOCK'. THE PILOT HAD A TOTAL OF 85 FLIGHT HOURS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF FLIGHT EXPERIENCE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
