Casualties unknown

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. 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 2026-06-10Data 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.

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.