Ryan NAVION accident near Mcminnville, Oregon, June 13, 2016
On June 13, 2016 at about 11:40 pm local time, a 1948 Ryan NAVION, registered N4171K, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Mcminnville, Oregon. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to replace the oil filler cap following the preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine oil and engine power, an emergency landing, and impact with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 13, 2016 · about 11:40 pm local time
- Place
- Mcminnville, Oregon · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ryan NAVION B, built 1948 · all NAVIONs on the register
- Registration
- N4171K · no longer on the register · serial NAV-4-1171
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that about 15 minutes after takeoff he smelled something burning and the cabin filled with smoke. The pilot further reported that the engine lost power and that he was forced to maneuver for an emergency landing. After the loss of power, he heard a "clanging noise" from the engine. While landing in a field, the airplane impacted blueberry bushes and a fence, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. During a postaccident examination by the local law enforcement, it was revealed that the oil filler cap was not in place on the oil filler tube. The oil filler cap retaining chain was still attached to the oil cap and the oil filler tube. Upon further examination of the oil cap and the oil filler tube, no evidence of damage was noted. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Preflight or dispatch event during prior to flight
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Oil › Inadequate inspection
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Fence/fence post › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 249 hours in all; 31 in this make and model; 21 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 204 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 27, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,686.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 19, 2016
- Maximum gross weight: 2,750 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental O-470-15 (piston); 2,696 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: S12 Albany OR at 11:15 pm
- Destination: RNT Renton WA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 12 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from KMMV, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.