GARY, IN, USA
N5140S
PIPER PA-28R-200
WHILE CRUISING OVER LAKE MICHIGAN AT NGT, A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE OCCURRED WHICH WAS QUICKLY FOLLOWED BY AN ENGINE FAILURE. THE PLT PERFORMED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES & PREPARED FOR A FORCED LANDING. HE WAS ABLE TO GLIDE TO SHORE, BUT DUE TO 'INDUSTRIAL TERRAIN' ALONG THE SHORELINE, HE ELECTED TO DITCH THE ACFT IN LAKE MICHIGAN NEAR THE SHORE. AFTER DITCHING, HE EXITED THE ACFT & SWAM TO A BREAKWATER AND THE ACFT SANK. HE WAS RESCUED ABOUT 5 HRS LATER & WAS TREATED FOR HYPOTHERMIA. THE ACFT WAS FURTHER DAMAGED WHEN IT WAS RETRIEVED FROM THE LAKE. NO MECHANICAL REASON WAS FOUND FOR THE LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE.
FAILURE OF THE POWERPLANT DUE TO AN OIL LEAK AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING INTO UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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