On December 10, 1988, a Piper PA-24-250 (registration N8356P) operated by Messer, Maurice O was involved in an aviation accident near Jacksonville, AR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Rupture of an oil cooler inlet line, which dripped oil onto the exhaust system, causing smoke and loss of oil pressure. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a familiarization flight, smoke entered the cockpit and oil pressure was lost, prompting a precautionary emergency landing on a soft, muddy farm field. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. Investigation found a ruptured oil cooler inlet line.
Accident Sequence
During a local familiarization and acceptance flight for the new aircraft owner, smoke entered the cockpit and oil pressure was lost. The pilot attempted a precautionary emergency landing on a soft, muddy, plowed farm field. The aircraft sustained substantial damage during the landing.
Investigation Findings
Post-accident investigation revealed that an oil cooler inlet line had ruptured. The ruptured line dripped oil onto the exhaust system, causing smoke and the subsequent loss of oil pressure. The oil line was wrapped with asbestos and had become very brittle. The line was original equipment and had a total time of 2872 hours.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft had just recently received an annual inspection and had flown less than one hour since that inspection. The oil line was original equipment with 2872 total hours of service.
Probable cause
Rupture of an oil cooler inlet line, which dripped oil onto the exhaust system, causing smoke and loss of oil pressure.
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