Piper PA28 accident near Fulton, New York, October 4, 2020
On October 4, 2020 at about 4:30 pm local time, a Piper PA28, registered N6179U, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Fulton, New York (Oswego County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The mechanic’s improper maintenance, which resulted in the crankshaft expansion plug dislodging in flight and a subsequent forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 4, 2020 · about 4:30 pm local time
- Place
- Fulton, New York · Oswego County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA28 160, built 164 · all PA28s on the register
- Registration
- N6179U · no longer on the register · serial 28-115
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Shortly after takeoff, the engine crankshaft expansion plug dislodged, and oil started to cover the airplane’s windscreen. The pilot attempted to return to, and land on the departure runway; however, the airplane subsequently touched down more than halfway down the runway. The pilot was unable to stop the airplane and it went off the runway and struck a chain link fence, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, vertical stabilizer, and both wings. The crankshaft expansion plug was installed during maintenance that was performed 3 days prior to the accident. The mechanic who performed the maintenance stated that he installed the crankshaft plug using a ball peen hammer; instead of following the procedures outlined by the engine manufacturer; which called for the use of a special tool to properly deform and seat the plug. The mechanic said that he has used a ball peen hammer in the past to install crankshaft plugs with success; however, in this instance, the plug did not seat properly, dislodged, and allowed oil to exit the end of the crankshaft in flight.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during initial climb defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Maintenance personnel
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › (general) › Incorrect service/maintenance
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 170 hours in all; 13.3 in this make and model
- Last flight review: May 2, 2019
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,792.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 2020; 1 hours since
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-B2B (piston); 725 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 3,996 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 11,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 30.19 inHg
- Observation at 12:54 pm from FZY
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on June 17, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Written Statement - Pilot | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Inspector Statement - Airplane Examination | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspector Statement - Mechanic Interview | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Photos | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Lycoming Mandatory Service Bulletin 505B | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Excerpt from Engine Overhaul Manual | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.