NORMANTOWN, WV, USA
N7272W
PIPER PA-28-180
THE PLT NOTICED SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT, & SOON THEREAFTER OBSERVED THE OIL PRESS GAGE READING ZERO. THE PLT WAS GIVEN RADAR VECTORS TO THE NEAREST ARPT BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO REACH IT. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES & A POWERLINE DURING THE FORCED LANDING. EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT AN OIL COOLER LINE HAD RUPTURED ALLOWING THE ENG OIL SUPPLY TO BE PUMPED OVERBOARD. THE LINE WAS FOUND TO BE IN A VERY BRITTLE CONDITION. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF CHAFING. THE LAST ANNUAL WAS 7/11/83. THE RUPTURED LINE HAD 794 HRS TIME IN SERVICE & HAD BEEN INSTALLED FOR ALMOST 7 YRS. THE ACFT MFGR RECOMMENDS THAT THE LINES BE REPLACED EVERY 1,000 HRS. HOWEVER, THE MFGR OF THE LINES GIVE THEM A 5-YR SHELF LIFE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports