No fatalities

Precautionary Landing After Oil Leak Leads to Nose Gear Collapse (N7958A)

Roanoke, IL, US

On August 2, 1987, a Piper PA-22 (registration N7958A) operated by John L. Brashers was involved in an aviation accident near Roanoke, IL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The fitting on the oil return line from the oil cooler was loose, allowing the oil seal to back off. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft conducting a precautionary landing after an oil leak encountered rough terrain, causing the nose gear to collapse and the aircraft to nose over. The pilot and one passenger reported no injuries.

Incident Summary

During flight, the pilot discovered an oil leak and decided to perform a precautionary landing. Upon touchdown, the aircraft encountered rough terrain, which caused the nose landing gear to collapse. The aircraft subsequently nosed over, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot and one passenger reported no injuries.

Investigation Findings

Post-incident examination revealed that the fitting on the oil return line from the oil cooler was loose. This allowed the oil seal to back off, which led to the oil leak. No other contributing factors were identified in the investigation.

Probable cause

The fitting on the oil return line from the oil cooler was loose, allowing the oil seal to back off.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2 Aug 1987 Piper PA-22 accident near Roanoke, IL?

An aircraft conducting a precautionary landing after an oil leak encountered rough terrain, causing the nose gear to collapse and the aircraft to nose over. The pilot and one passenger reported no injuries.

Were there any fatalities in the 2 Aug 1987 Piper PA-22 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2 Aug 1987 involved a Piper PA-22, registration N7958A, operated by John L. Brashers, at Roanoke, IL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The fitting on the oil return line from the oil cooler was loose, allowing the oil seal to back off.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X31737. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.