Socata TB-20 accident near Perris, California, June 28, 2004
On June 28, 2004 at about 9:39 pm local time, a Socata TB-20, registered N110U, was substantially damaged in an accident near Perris, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power due to oil exhaustion as a result of the mechanic's use of an incorrect gasket during the installation of the vacuum pump.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 28, 2004 · about 9:39 pm local time
- Place
- Perris, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Socata TB-20 · all TB-20s on the register
- Registration
- N110U · registry record · serial 595
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane collided with ground obstructions during a forced landing following a catastrophic engine failure due to oil exhaustion during cruise flight. Just after achieving cruise altitude the pilot was scanning the cockpit gauges and he noticed the oil pressure gauge indicating a loss of pressure, with the oil warning light flickering intermittently. About 5 minutes later, the engine started to vibrate, and subsequently seized, making a loud bang. The airplane began to descend about 1,000 feet per minute, and the pilot selected a dirt field to perform an emergency landing. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted a berm. An engine examination revealed that the inside top of the engine cowling showed a concentration of oil near the firewall on the left side, which is the approximate location of the vacuum pump. Removal of the vacuum pump revealed an oily film on both sides of the pump gasket, which is seated between the vacuum pump flange and the engine accessory case flange. The vacuum pump had been installed about 0.5 hours prior to the accident. The mechanic who installed the pump said he used the gasket that was supplied with the pump. The manufacturer of the vacuum pump reported that they supply a gasket (part number AS3491-01) with their pump. In the TB-20 parts manual, the airplane manufacturer specifies that the gasket required is part number Z00.N7423254013, which they cross-reference with Textron Lycoming part number 8313. The investigation was unable to cross-reference or establish an equivalency between the AS3491-01 gasket supplied by the pump manufacturer with either the Lycoming or Socata specified gasket.
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
- Flight time: 1,018 hours in all; 919 in this make and model; 16 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 934 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 21, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,750 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 29, 2003; 32 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-C4D5D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: F70 Murrieta CA at 9:00 pm
- Destination: RNO Reno NV
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from RAL
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 4 |
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.