Accident Details
On January 5, 2013, at about 1300 Pacific standard time, an experimental Jeremiah Jackson Vans RV-10, registration N262NJ, made an off-field forced landing near Julian, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage from impact forces.
Pilot Report
The local personal flight departed Ramona, California, about 1045. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that the airplane was in phase one flight testing, with a total time of 6 hours on the airplane and engine; this was the fourth test flight. About 2 hours into the flight, while heading toward his home airport at 8,500 feet mean sea level, the pilot observed the oil pressure decrease rapidly to about 5 pounds per square inch. He did not notice any other problems. He declared an emergency and requested a direct approach to Ramona Airport, runway 27.
Within 5 minutes, the engine lost all oil pressure and seized. The pilot was unable to reach any available airstrips. Observing a steep gorge ahead, he turned and elected to land on a winding dirt road on top of a ridge. He avoided trees and cars parked at a trailhead, but the airplane struck a steep embankment, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings.
Wreckage Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage. The inspector observed that an oil line just to the right of the oil filter was disconnected. Oil had sprayed into the cowling and exited out the lower nose at approximately the 5:30 to 6 o'clock position. The pilot stated that there were no indications of oil leakage during the preflight inspection.