Forced Landing and Collision
On June 27, 2014, at approximately 1700 central daylight time, a Cessna A188 airplane, registration N8157V, performed a forced landing onto a road after the pilot experienced a loss of engine oil pressure. The aircraft was operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a banner tow flight, having departed from Dallas Executive Airport (KRBD), Dallas, Texas, about 1600. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
According to the pilot, while maneuvering with the banner attached, he noticed a loss of oil pressure. He declared an emergency with air traffic control and indicated he could not reach an airport. The engine then experienced a total loss of power, prompting the pilot to execute an emergency landing onto a grass area near a highway interchange. During the landing roll, the airplane continued onto the highway interchange and struck a vehicle. After coming to rest, another vehicle struck the airplane from the rear. The airplane's empennage was twisted to the right but remained attached to the rear fuselage. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the engine revealed insignificant impact exterior damage. However, the engine mounts had excessive wear, and several cracks had been stop-drilled in the muffler. The oil dipstick was removed, and no oil was observed on it. When the propeller was rotated by hand, the crankshaft was stiff and produced a grinding sound as it rotated inside the crankcase. The oil filter adapter was found loose from its fitting and had "CESSNA" branded on the side. The threads on the adapter were worn and damaged, and the lock nut on the adapter was not properly torqued. Oil residue was observed on the engine near the adapter and on the underside of the airframe. The oil filter was removed and cut open; the filter element contained metallic debris throughout.
Maintenance and Airworthiness Directive
On July 31, 1996, the Federal Aviation Administration issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) 96-12-22, applicable to Cessna Models 100, 200, 300, and 400 Series airplanes equipped with at least one Teledyne Continental Motors engine. The AD required, in part, inspecting the oil filter and adapter assembly for oil leakage and proper installation of the adapter retaining nut, and replacing any oil filter adapter assembly with security problems "to prevent loss of engine oil caused by loose or separated oil filter adapters, which could result in engine stoppage while in flight and loss of control of the airplane."
According to the airplane's maintenance logbooks, the oil and oil filter had been changed five times since October 6, 2013, with the most recent change completed on June 23, 2014. There are no records indicating that AD 96-12-22 was completed. The maintenance personnel stated that the AD did not apply to the oil filter adapter because it had been replaced by a different type of filter adapter from Continental Motors. According to the manufacturer, there are no Continental Motors oil filter adapters.