On December 10, 2013, at 1002 central standard time, a Rockwell International model 112 airplane, N1203J, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Hammond, Louisiana. The pilot receiving instruction and his flight instructor were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Sunflower Farm & Ranch LLC, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, while on an instrument flight rules flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area training flight, which departed Hammond Northshore Regional Airport (HDC), Hammond, Louisiana, at 0913.
The pilot receiving instruction reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice instrument approach procedures and holding patterns in the local area. He reported that while at 3,000 feet mean sea level he noticed a lack of engine oil pressure after smelling an odor in the cockpit. He stated that he had to reduce engine power to keep the propeller from exceeding its maximum operating speed. He reported that the engine gradually lost total power over a period of 90 seconds. The pilot completed a forced landing in a field about 8 miles northeast of HDC after the airplane descended below an overcast cloud layer into visual meteorological conditions. The left wing was substantially damaged during the forced landing when it collided with a fence post.
A postaccident examination, completed by inspectors with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), revealed engine oil on the lower fuselage, firewall, and lower right side of the engine. Further examination established that the source of the oil leak was a fractured propeller governor oil supply line. The stainless steel line fractured about 2 inches aft of the crankshaft collar attachment fitting, located toward the front of the engine crankcase. A fractured Adel clamp was found attached to the oil line, located at the approximate midpoint of the oil line. The remaining portion of the Adel clamp was found bolted to the crankcase, located aft of the right rear cylinder. There were no additional supports located along the oil line, and the exterior surface of the oil line did not exhibit any evidence of another support having been installed.
On April 2, 1990, the engine manufacturer, Lycoming Engines, issued Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 488A, entitled "Propeller Governor Line Support", to address several reports of engine failures that were the result of oil starvation from fractured external governor oil lines. The service bulletin stated that upon inspection, the fractured oil lines had not been properly supported per Lycoming service documentation. The service bulletin indicated a visual inspection of the oil line assembly was required to determine if both supports (clamps and/or clips) were properly installed and intact. If a visual inspection revealed that any supports were missing from the assembly, the service bulletin stated that the oil line should be replaced or thoroughly inspected to insure that no cracks exist. The accident engine configuration required an Adel clamp (part no. LW-16266-25-38) and a hose clip (part no. 75165) to be installed on the oil supply line at specified locations.
On May 28, 1991, the FAA issued Airworthiness Directive No. 90-04-06 rev. 1, applicable to four-cylinder Lycoming engines with rear-mounted propeller governors, which specified that the external governor oil supply line be supported by at least two clamps/clips to prevent the oil line from fracturing. The airworthiness directive required that the oil line to be replaced if it was not properly supported, or if the line exhibited any leaks, chafing, or interference conditions.
The engine, a Lycoming model IO-360-C1D6, serial number L-12411-51A, was last overhauled on May 6, 2004, at 3,755.75 hours total service time. At the time of the accident, the engine had accumulated 786.89 hours since the last overhaul. The last engine maintenance was completed on November 27, 2013, at 4,538.96 hours total service time, when the engine oil and filter were replaced. The engine had accumulated 3.68 hours since that oil change. A review of available maintenance records established that the propeller governor oil supply line (part no. 75167) was replaced on September 18, 2012, at 4,496.00 hours total service time; however, there was no documentation establishing if the oil line had been installed in compliance with Airworthiness Directive No. 90-04-06, Lycoming Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 488A, or the engine overhaul manual. The oil line had accumulated 46.64 hours since it had been replaced.