Piper PA28R N33807 accident near Paso Robles, California

Probable cause

The pilots' inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to ensure that the oil filler cap was secured and resulted in oil starvation and a total loss of engine power.

NTSB analysis

The flight instructor and private pilot receiving instruction completed a touch-and-go landing in night visual meteorological conditions. During the initial climb, they heard a "loud tick" noise, then the low vacuum annunciator light illuminated. About 350 to 400 ft above ground level, the engine lost all power, and the propeller came to a complete stop. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and performed a forced landing to a nearby field, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and aft fuselage.

Examination revealed that the oil filler cap was not secured, and that the engine contained about 1 quart of oil. In addition, oil was splattered on the inside of the engine compartment. It is likely that the pilots failed to secure the oil filler cap during the preflight inspection, which resulted in the loss of engine oil inflight, eventual oil starvation, and the total loss of engine power.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR18LA101 for the full record.