Event Description
During en route flight at 13,500 feet mean sea level, the airplane experienced engine vibrations. The pilot subsequently shut down the engine and performed an off-airport landing. During the forced landing roll, the airplane struck brush and hidden rocks.
Post-Accident Examination
An on-scene examination revealed engine oil covering the bottom of the airplane. A post-accident examination of the engine disclosed a catastrophic internal failure. Further inspection found an oil filter gasket that was pinched and extruded around the oil filter base plate, which allowed engine oil to escape.
Service Bulletin and Airworthiness Directive History
On August 30, 2000, Textron Lycoming issued Mandatory Service Bulletin (SB) MSB-543A for the replacement of oil filter converter plate gaskets, with initial compliance before further flight and then each 50 hours thereafter. On September 5, 2000, the FAA issued Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD 2000-18-53 to mandate compliance with SB MSB-543A, addressed to maintenance facilities and all registered airplane owners with this engine model. On October 4, 2000, Revision 1 of SB MSB-543A provided an alternate means of compliance, clarified affected engines, eliminated gasket part number LW-13388, and removed the requirement to replace the gasket every 50 hours. It also required marking the converter plate by vibropeening the numbers 543 onto a designated location. The accident plate was not marked.
The last documented annual inspection occurred on July 27, 2000, at 2,418.9 total hours, with 235.9 hours since engine major overhaul. The entry stated that “A.D’s checked through 2000-15.” At the time of the accident, the FAA Aircraft Registration database in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, listed the registration as “Sale Reported” and no other information. The application for registration was clocked into the registration branch on April 9, 2001, and the application was dated March 5, 2001. The certificate of registration was issued July 24, 2001. According to registration information, an application from a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) applicant requires additional information about the organization and principals, and additional processing time. No Emergency Airworthiness Directive was sent to any registered owner or applicant of this airplane.