WISCONSIN DELLS, WI, USA
N736DA
CESSNA R172K
WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PLT HEARD A 'MUFFLED POP' FROM THE ENG. APRX 30 SEC LATER, HE NOTICED SMOKE ENTERING THE COCKPIT & SOME POWER LOSS. OIL PRESSURE WAS OBSERVED GOING TO ZERO. THE PLT SHUT OFF THE FUEL & MADE AN EMERG LANDING. DRG THE LANDING, THE LEFT WING STRUCK A TREE & THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED. A POST-ACDNT INSPN REVEALED THE OIL FILLER CAP WAS LOOSE & HANGING FROM ITS CHAIN. A TEARDOWN INSPN OF THE ENG REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL DEFECTS WHICH WOULD HAVE ACCOUNTED FOR THE OIL LOSS.
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO INSURE THE OIL FILLER CAP WAS PROPERLY SECURED WHEN HE SERVICED THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE TAKEOFF, AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF OIL AND OIL EXHAUSTION. THE TREE WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
