Accident Piper J3C N49614, Sunday 25 August 2019

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Date:	Sunday 25 August 2019
Time:	16:25 LT
Type:	Piper J3C
Owner/operator:
Registration:	N49614
MSN:	G-159
Year of manufacture:	1945
Total airframe hrs:	2092 hours
Engine model:	Continental C85-12
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Russiaville, Indiana - United States of America
Phase:	Landing
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Frankfort Municipal Airport, IN (KFKR)
Destination airport:	Huntington Municipal Airport, IN (KHHG)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
The pilot and passenger were en route on a multi-leg cross-country flight when the pilot noticed oil on the side window and the oil pressure gauge indicated a loss of oil pressure. The pilot was not sure that the engine would continue to run if he diverted to the nearest grass strip, so he executed a precautionary landing to a field, which substantially damaged right wing ribs and spar.
Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the oil cap was missing; it was later located at the last departure airport. The pilot stated that he was in a hurry to depart and did not properly reinstall or secure the oil cap. The did not reveal other mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations.

Probable Cause: The pilot's failure to reinstall the oil cap after adding oil, which resulted to oil starvation and a precaautionary landing.

Accident investigation: