Casualties unknown

Oil Filter Adapter Failure Leads to Forced Landing on Golf Course (N982Q)

Bluffton, SC, US

On June 12, 1994, a Beech P35 (registration N982Q) was involved in an aviation accident near Bluffton, SC. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The jam nut which tightens the oil filter adapter to the engine case either lost its preload torque, or was undertorqued during maintenance. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

During cruise, oil pressure loss and burning smell preceded engine failure. Forced landing on a golf course ended with collision with trees. Investigation found fretted threads on oil filter adapter and evidence of undertorqued jam nut.

Incident Overview

During cruise flight, the pilot observed a loss of oil pressure, accompanied by the smell of burning oil. The propeller subsequently oversped, and the engine quit. The airplane was force landed on a golf course, and collided with trees during the landing roll.

Engine Examination

An examination of the engine revealed that the threads on the oil filter adapter and the mating threads on the engine case were severely fretted, and oil had leaked out of the engine around the adapter threads. There was evidence of oil starvation and thermal distress on internal engine parts.

Maintenance Findings

Evidence suggests that the jam nut which tightens the adapter to the engine case either lost its preload torque, or was undertorqued during maintenance. Logbook entries indicating the last maintenance on the adapter were not located.

Probable cause

The jam nut which tightens the oil filter adapter to the engine case either lost its preload torque, or was undertorqued during maintenance.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001206X01434. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.