Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Mitchell, Indiana 47446
Friday, June 12, 2009 15:30 EDT

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The pilot reported that during cruise flight he observed an oil pressure warning indication on the electronic flight instrument system and noted that the engine oil pressure had dropped to approximately one pound per square inch. He immediately turned toward the nearest airport, which was about 7 miles away; however, the engine stopped producing power about one minute later. The pilot prepared for a forced landing to a farm field. The field consisted of chest-high grass with soft, muddy areas. The airplane subsequently nosed over during the landing. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that an oil line between the oil cooler and the engine became disconnected. The oil line and fitting appeared to be otherwise intact. The examination also noted oil residue along the bottom of the fuselage. The oil line connection was not equipped with a clamp, and relied on the interference of the line and the fitting to maintain the connection. The pilot stated that the oil line manufacturer assured him that the design configuration was adequate.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

A total loss of engine power due to the disconnection of an oil line and the subsequent loss of engine oil.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 6/12/2009
Event Day of the Week Friday
Time of Event 1530
Event Time Zone Eastern Daylight Time
Event City Mitchell
Event State INDIANA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 47446
Event Date Year 2009
Event Date Month 6
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 384434N
Event Location Longitude 0862834W
Event Location Airport --
Event Location Nearest Airport ID --
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles --
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation --
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 1353 Eastern Standard Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 180
Weather Observation Facility ID BMG
Elevation of weather observation facility 845
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 30
Time Zone of the weather observation EST
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height 2700
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height --
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions --
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling Overcast
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 21
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) 16
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 300
Variable Wind Indicator Wind direction could be determined
Wind Speed (knots) 3
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator Not Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 29.94
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury Serious
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor 1
Injury Total None --
Injury Total Serious 1
Injury Total All 2
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 25800
NTSB Notification Source FAA-Indianapolis FSDO
NTSB Notification Date --
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information --
Date of most recent change to record Sep 16 2009 11:59AM
User who most recently changed record bowl
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N540MT
NTSB Number CEN09CA354
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed Unknown
Flight plan Was Activated? --
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name THROCKMORTON MATTHEW E
Aircraft Model F1-EVO
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 132
Certified Max Gross Weight 2100
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? Yes
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 2
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Conditional
Date of Last Inspection Mar 1 2009 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection --
Airframe Hours 150
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated Yes
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type Unknown
Aircraft Owner Name THROCKMORTON MATTHEW E
Aircraft Owner Street Address --
Aircraft Owner City CLINTON
Aircraft Owner State IN
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 47842-1415
Operator is an individual? Yes
Operator Name THROCKMORTON MATTHEW E
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address --
Operator City CLINTON
Operator State IN
Operator Country USA
Operator Zip code 47842-1415
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? No
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Personal
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event No
Departure Airport Code 2R2
Departure City Indianapolis
Departure State IN
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 1430
Departure Time Zone EST
Destination Same as Local Flt --
Destination Airport Code BWG
Destination City Bowling Green
Destination State KY
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight --
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Jul 6 2009 3:33PM
User who most recently changed record sort
Since inspection or accident Time of Accident
Event Location Runway Number and Location N/A
Runway Length --
Runway Width --
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --