MIA04CA001

Factual narrative

On October 8, 2003, about 1220 eastern daylight time, the pilot of an American General AA-1, N5668L, registered to and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR part 91 personal flight, made a forced landing after takeoff from Bartow Municipal Airport, Bartow, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane incurred substantial damage, and the private-rated pilot received minor injuries. The passenger was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he was maintaining the airplane and he had performed an oil change on the day of the accident. He said he went to do other things and forgot to add new oil to the airplane, and after takeoff, the airplane's engine ceased operating. He said he made a forced landing about a mile from the airport and during the landing the airplane incurred damage to the right wing and fuselage. An FAA inspector who responded to the accident stated that he checked the airplane, and he could not find any evidence of oil in the engine. The pilot stated that he did an oil change and forgot to add new oil. He further stated that after taking off, the engine ceased operating and he made a forced landing a short distance from the airport. During the landing the airplane incurred damage. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12