Cessna TR182 accident near Cypress, Texas, April 11, 2002
On April 11, 2002 at about 11:18 pm local time, a Cessna TR182, registered N9321R, was substantially damaged in an accident near Cypress, Texas (David Wayne Hooks Memorial airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the total loss of engine power as a result of oil starvation due to a missing oil filler cap, which resulted in a forced landing. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 11, 2002 · about 11:18 pm local time
- Place
- Cypress, Texas · David Wayne Hooks Memorial
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna TR182 · all TR182s on the register
- Registration
- N9321R · registry record · serial R18200690
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that he checked the oil level during the preflight inspection, the dipstick indicated 8 quarts, and he did not remove the oil filler cap to add any oil. The flight departed and had been airborne approximately 15 minutes when the pilot heard a "loud bang," a film of oil covered the windshield, and the engine lost total power. Subsequently, a forced landing was executed to a muddy field, and the airplane came to rest upright. An FAA inspector reported that there was an oil film covering the windshield, and added that the film extended aft along the fuselage. The Lycoming O-540-L3C5D engine was examined and boroscoped through two holes located on the top side of the engine crankcase. The #4 and #5 connecting rods were observed to be partially separated and the #6 connecting rod was completely separated from the crankshaft. All of the rods displayed signatures consistent with heat distress. The engine was removed from the airframe firewall, and no loose fittings or compromised oil lines were noted during the removal. The inlet and outlet lines for the oil cooler and turbocharger were pressurized with 80 psi of air, and no leaks were noted. The oil filter was removed and examined, and metal shavings were present; however, they did not completely obstruct the filter. The oil pump was removed and all of its internal components were intact; however, galling was observed on the pump's internal housing and on the gear teeth. The oil suction screen was removed and metal shavings were present; however, they did not completely obstruct the screen. The oil sump contained approximately 1 quart of oil and metal fragments. The oil filler cap was not located during the examination.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 492 hours in all; 103 in this make and model; 17 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 454 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 13, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,638.9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 25, 2001; 196.7 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-L3C5D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DWH Houston TX at 11:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 10:51 pm from DWH
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.