C172 pilot reported loss of oil pressure on initial climb and return to departure airport.
Synopsis
C172 pilot reported loss of oil pressure on initial climb and return to departure airport.
Narrative
Got to the ZZZ on the morning of Day 0 getting ready for a flight to ZZZ1. Preflight went well and aircraft was ready to fly. Engine had about 6 quarts of oil. We started the engine and did the usual. We taxied out to the run-up area west of runway XX and conducted the run-up. Engine performed normal and oil pressure was in the green as well as the oil temperature. We were holding short of RWY XY as we performed our pre-takeoff checklist and briefing. I made our call to let other pilots aware that we were departing RWY XY. I pulled on to RWY XY and lined up with the centerline; held the brakes; applied full power and once again engine is running smooth and gauges are all in the green. We continue our takeoff on a straight out departure and at about 500 FT I look at our oil pressure and we are losing oil pressure significantly. Continually; I enter a left bank and enter a left base for RWY XZ and I make my call once again letting everybody know that I was joining a left base for XZ and that I had no oil pressure. I continue and we land RWY XZ get off the runway shutdown and there was oil all over the left side of the fuselage. We push back and I check the oil dip stick and there was not a single drip of oil. Tied up; and left.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.