What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1997-03-04 involved a Piper PA-28R-200, registration N2654T, at Thibodaux, LA.

Engine Oil Loss Due to Incompatible Quick Drain Valve Leads to Forced Landing (N2654T)

On March 4, 1997, a Piper PA-28R-200 (registration N2654T) was involved in an aviation accident near Thibodaux, LA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The nose gear torque links contacted the engine oil quick drain valve during landing gear retraction, activating the valve and resulting in loss of engine oil and engine seizure. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

On its first flight after engine overhaul, an airplane suffered power loss five minutes after takeoff. The pilot performed a wheels-up forced landing on a road, during which the left wing struck a barrel. Investigation found that the nose gear torque links contacted the engine oil quick drain valve during retraction, causing oil loss and engine seizure. The installed valve was not the required Piper part.

Incident Overview

The airplane was on its first flight following the installation of an overhauled engine. Approximately five minutes after takeoff, the engine lost power. The pilot executed a wheels-up forced landing on a road. During the landing roll, the airplane's left wing struck a barrel.

Post-Incident Examination

Examination revealed that when the landing gear was retracted, the nose gear torque links had contacted the engine oil quick drain valve, activating the valve. This resulted in the loss of all engine oil and subsequent engine seizure.

Airworthiness Directive Compliance

Airworthiness Directive (AD) 81-11-02 R1, effective October 2, 1981, applied to this airplane. The AD required that if an oil quick drain valve was installed, it must be Piper Part No. 492-172V. However, the installed oil quick drain valve was found to be a Curtis model CCA-1700.

Conclusion

The loss of engine power was due to oil depletion and engine seizure caused by inadvertent activation of an incompatible oil quick drain valve during landing gear retraction.

Probable cause

The nose gear torque links contacted the engine oil quick drain valve during landing gear retraction, activating the valve and resulting in loss of engine oil and engine seizure. Additionally, the installed oil quick drain valve was not the required Piper part number as per AD 81-11-02 R1, but a Curtis model CCA-1700.

1997-03-04: Piper PA-28R-200 (N2654T) — Thibodaux, LA