Mckellar Sipes Regional Airport
Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Jackson, Tennessee 38301
Wednesday, March 5, 2014 10:56 CST

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The pilot reported that, during the climb after takeoff in instrument meteorological conditions, he noted that the engine was losing oil pressure rapidly. He immediately made a 180-degree turn to return to the departure airport. While inbound on the instrument landing system (ILS) approach, he realized that the airplane was too high, so he executed a 360-degree descending turn. He then again proceeded inbound on the ILS approach. He continued the descent but, because the airplane had not captured the glideslope, he executed a missed approach. He then circled the airplane around and re-established the airplane on the localizer. Subsequently, the engine lost all power, and the airplane began descending. The pilot subsequently landed the airplane on a road just north of the airport. During the landing, the right wing impacted a highway sign, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. The airplane then veered right and entered a cornfield. Examination of the wreckage revealed the presence of oil on the back of the engine, firewall, and belly. The engine was started with the engine cowling removed, and oil was observed to appear on the back of the accessory pad near the lower vacuum pump. Further examination of the area revealed that the accessory drive adapter gasket was the source of the leak. Review of the airplane’s maintenance records revealed that, on the day before the accident, the lower vacuum pump had been removed and that a new vacuum pump, shaft seal, and accessory drive adapter gasket had been installed. Examination revealed that the proper gasket was installed; however, it was distorted and showed signs of excessive compression and “squeezeout,” which indicated that the nuts had been overtorqued during installation.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

A total loss of engine power due to maintenance personnel’s improper installation of the lower vacuum pump.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 3/5/2014
Event Day of the Week Wednesday
Time of Event 1056
Event Time Zone Central Standard Time
Event City Jackson
Event State TENNESSEE
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 38301
Event Date Year 2014
Event Date Month 3
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 353600N
Event Location Longitude 0885456W
Event Location Airport McKellar Sipes Regional
Event Location Nearest Airport ID MKL
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles 1
Degrees magnetic from airport 340
Airport Elevation 434
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 1053 Central Daylight Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 160
Weather Observation Facility ID MKL
Elevation of weather observation facility 434
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 1
Time Zone of the weather observation CDT
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height 200
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) 1
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 1
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) -1
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) --
Variable Wind Indicator --
Wind Speed (knots) --
Wind Velocity Indicator Calm
Wind Gust Indicator --
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 30.21
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury None
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None 2
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All --
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 33181
NTSB Notification Source FAA SROCC
NTSB Notification Date --
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information --
Date of most recent change to record Aug 26 2014 10:57AM
User who most recently changed record kenj
Basic weather conditions Instrument Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N9417Z
NTSB Number ERA14LA142
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed IFR
Flight plan Was Activated? Yes
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name CESSNA
Aircraft Model 172R
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 17280265
Certified Max Gross Weight 2450
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 4
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Annual
Date of Last Inspection Nov 22 2013 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection 47
Airframe Hours 4083
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated Yes
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name HADLEY THOMAS E
Aircraft Owner Street Address --
Aircraft Owner City JACKSON
Aircraft Owner State TN
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 38305
Operator is an individual? Yes
Operator Name William Dabney
Operator Same as Owner? No
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? No
Operator Street Address --
Operator City Humboldt
Operator State TN
Operator Country USA
Operator Zip code 38343
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? --
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 MKL
Departure City Jackson
Departure State MS
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 1015
Departure Time Zone CDT
Destination Same as Local Flt --
Destination Airport Code AGS
Destination City Augusta
Destination State GA
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight --
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Aug 26 2014 10:58AM
User who most recently changed record kenj
Since inspection or accident Time of Accident
Event Location Runway Number and Location 02
Runway Length 6006
Runway Width 150
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --