Accident Details
On June 10, 2015, at 0540 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-200, registration N872CS, experienced a complete loss of engine power during climb after taking off from Jonesboro Municipal Airport (JBR) in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The pilot executed a forced landing to a nearby parking lot. During the landing, the airplane struck a sign pole, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing and the right side of the empennage. The private pilot and a private pilot-rated passenger were uninjured. The aircraft was owned by C & S Aviation LLC and operated by the pilot under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 19 as a personal flight.
Pilot's Account
The pilot reported that during the preflight inspection of the airplane, the engine oil quantity measured 8 quarts. Approximately 3 to 5 minutes after takeoff from runway 23, the oil pressure warning light illuminated. Within seconds, the oil pressure gauge indicated zero pressure while the aircraft was at an altitude of about 1,800 feet mean sea level. The pilot decided to return to Jonesboro Municipal Airport and land on runway 5. About 20 to 30 seconds later, the engine lost all power. The pilot noted that the airplane did not have sufficient altitude to reach runway 5, necessitating a forced landing to a parking lot. During the landing, the right wing contacted a sign pole, causing the airplane to spin and flip over.
Examination Findings
According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, examination of the recovered aircraft revealed that the nose wheel had contacted and broken an oil drain valve during gear retraction. The oil drain valve installed was of the incorrect part number. Piper Aircraft Corporation Service Letter Number 910 addressed this issue. The correct part number for the valve assembly was "32 492-172 * VALVE ASSY - Oil drain-(1H50-1)."
Maintenance History
The pilot stated that the accident flight was the first flight following the replacement of the oil drain valve by an airframe and powerplant mechanic. An engine logbook entry dated June 9, 2015, indicated that the engine had received a 100-hour/annual inspection at a tachometer time of 3,831.5 hours and an engine total time of 1,831.5 hours.