What happened
A Piper PA-31T, registration YV2371, departed from Maiquetía International Airport (SVMI) bound for Charallave (SVCS) with two crew members and one passenger on board. During the initial climb phase, after reaching 5,000 feet, the crew observed a Master Warning light accompanied by an acoustic alarm. The annunciator panel indicated high temperature in the left engine and low oil pressure.
The crew leveled the aircraft at 7,000 feet and executed the required memory items and checklists for low oil pressure. After stabilizing the aircraft, the crew declared an emergency to Approach Control (APP) and requested a return to Maiquetamente. The aircraft was cleared for an ILS approach to runway 10L, landing without further incident and vacating the runway under its own power. There were no injuries to the occupants.
The investigation
The investigation included interviews with the crew, a review of pilot licenses, medical certificates, and aircraft maintenance records. A technical inspection was performed on the aircraft alongside personnel from the maintenance organization (OMAC) to address the reported oil system failure.
During the external inspection of the right engine, investigators found significant oil spray across several areas, including the right engine inlet scoop, the right side of the fuselage extending toward the tail, the right landing gear door, and both the internal and external surfaces of the right wing's extrados and flaps.
An internal inspection of the right turbine revealed an oil leak originating from the air conditioning compressor impeller shaft. While sensors for oil pressure and temperature were found to be in satisfactory condition, the initial oil level was below manufacturer recommendations. Following the addition of oil and a subsequent engine run-up, investigators confirmed that the leak persisted at the compressor impeller shaft.