Overview
On September 19, 2008, at approximately 1100 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 120, registration N77068, experienced a forced landing in an open field near Jesup, Georgia. The aircraft was substantially damaged, but the pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Flight History
According to the pilot, the trip was planned from Macon Downtown Airport in Macon, Georgia, to Jekyll Island Airport on Jekyll Island, Georgia. Departure occurred around 0945. The flight proceeded without incident for the first hour of the anticipated two-hour journey. Approximately one hour and twenty minutes into the flight, an opaque film began to accumulate on the windshield. The pilot observed engine oil leaking from the forward right area of the engine cowling. Within a minute, forward visibility became severely restricted. The pilot relied on flight instruments to maintain level flight while using the side window for visual reference. Engine instrument readings remained normal throughout.
Forced Landing
Determining that the nearest airport was beyond gliding range, the pilot chose to land in a clear field within gliding distance. The approach was performed in a slip, but the windshield was fully covered with oil. Upon recovering from the slip for landing, the pilot lost visual reference and had to estimate the flare. The airplane landed hard and bounced, causing the right wheel assembly to separate from the landing gear. On the second contact with the ground, the right gear dug in, resulting in an abrupt stop with the nose low and tail high. The pilot and passenger unfastened their four-point restraint systems and exited the aircraft unaided.
Wreckage Examination
An examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that engine oil was leaking from the front section of the engine crankcase, behind the propeller flange. After removing the propeller and spinner, the forward crankshaft expansion plug was found dislodged from its seating. This allowed pressurized oil to escape from the forward end of the crankshaft. The pilot, who was also the aircraft owner, reported that the engine had been overhauled 39 flight hours prior to the accident.