Kennett, MO, USA
N4584N
Cessna L19
The pilot reported that, during takeoff for the accident flight, which was the second flight of the day, he saw that the oil pressure was falling and realized it was likely due to his failure to install the engine oil filler cap after checking the oil during the first flight of the day. He did not conduct a preflight checklist before the accident flight. He subsequently made a precautionary landing at a nearby airport. During the landing, the airplane bounced, and the landing gear collapsed. The airplane bounced again, skidded off the right side of the runway, and ground looped. The left wing struck the ground before the airplane stopped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during post-flight maintenance he left the oil filler cap off. Subsequently, during takeoff, he realized that the oil filler cap was not installed. The pilot noticed a decrease in oil pressure and made a precautionary landing at a nearby airport. During landing, the airplane landed hard, bounced, and the landing gear collapsed. The airplane skidded off the right side of the runway, and ground looped to the right. The left wing struck the ground before the airplane stopped. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the main rotor blades. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot's failure to install the engine oil filler cap before the first flight of the day; his subsequent failure to conduct a preflight check before the accident flight, which resulted in his failure to note that the cap was not installed; and his improper landing flare during a precautionary landing, which resulted in a bounced landing and ground loop.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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