What happened
The commercial pilot was operating an aircraft on a personal flight when he encountered a critical mechanical issue approximately thirteen miles from his intended destination. The pilot reported smelling oil fumes, which quickly filled the cabin with smoke. Simultaneously, the engine oil pressure indicator dropped to zero. Recognizing the severity of the situation, the pilot shut down the engine and ventilated the cabin to clear the smoke. He then declared an emergency to the control tower at Grand Forks International Airport (GFK), providing his current location and intentions.
With the engine inoperative, the pilot selected a paved county road as a suitable site for a forced landing. As he approached the runway-like surface for touchdown, he attempted to lower the landing gear. However, the aircraft was too low to complete the full extension cycle before impact. Consequently, the landing gear collapsed upon contact with the ground.
The investigation
A post-accident examination of the aircraft revealed the root cause of the emergency. Investigators found that a broken oil line had ruptured, which allowed the engine oil supply to empty completely. This loss of lubrication and hydraulic pressure led to the immediate cessation of engine function.