Flight History
The pilot, who also held a mechanic certificate, reported that during the preflight inspection, the engine oil quantity checked satisfactory. An engine run-up lasting 6 minutes, which included cycling the propeller numerous times, revealed no discrepancies. During the takeoff roll for a flight around the traffic pattern, oil pressure and engine rpm were normal.
Accident Sequence
After gear retraction, when the airplane was past the departure end of the runway, the pilot noticed the oil pressure reading was zero. He entered a left downwind for runway 09, reduced the throttle, and elected to perform a precautionary landing on runway 27. While executing a left descending turn on a close-in left base for runway 27 at an altitude of 200 feet, he lowered the landing gear. When he subsequently added power, the engine did not respond. The pilot reported that the airplane stalled, then impacted the ground and slid to a stop.
Postaccident Examination
Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no oil leakage from the engine. The engine contained the same quantity of oil that the pilot reported during his preflight inspection. The oil pressure gauge was tested using air pressure and was found to operate. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction.