Incident Overview
During a return flight to the departure airport (KORL), a student pilot reported a burning smell and observed zero oil pressure on the engine gauges. Although no external oil leaks were visible on the windscreen or fuselage sides, the engine subsequently quit approximately five minutes after the initial report to air traffic control.
Emergency Maneuvers
Upon loss of power, the Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) assumed control and directed the aircraft toward a nearby golf course for a forced landing. The pilot performed several S-turns with full flaps extended to manage altitude. While maneuvering to align with a potential road landing site, the airplane collided with overhead wires and subsequently struck a power line pole.
Post-Accident Findings
Examination of the wreckage revealed an oil film on the exterior fuselage bottom skin and within the engine compartment behind the baffling. Only ten ounces of oil were drained from the engine, which showed internal signs of oil exhaustion, including failure of the No. 2 cylinder connecting rod cap and bolt. The engine had been overhauled in 2001.
Technical Analysis
A leak was identified at a flexible hose near the oil cooler end, which had a cure date in the third quarter of 1981. NTSB Materials Laboratory analysis found a 0.7-inch crack located 4.25 inches from the adapter end. Microscopic examination revealed missing woven fiber strands and reduced thickness in the outer rubber layer. Fractured fibers between the inner and outer layers, along with extensive longitudinal cracks on the interior surface, indicated severe degradation. The manufacturer recommends replacing such hoses at every engine overhaul or every five years, whichever occurs first.