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December 10, 1988 · Piper PA-24-250 · N8356P

Jacksonville, AR

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 10, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Jacksonville, AR
Aircraft
Piper PA-24-250
Tail Number
N8356P
Operator
Messer Maurice O
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC89LA037

DURING A LOCAL FAMILARIZATION AND ACCEPTANCE FLIGHT FOR THE NEW ACFT OWNER, SMOKE ENTERED THE COCKPIT AND OIL PRESSURE WAS LOST. A PRECAUTIONARY EMERGENCY LDG WAS ATTEMPTED ON A SOFT, MUDDY, PLOWED FARM FIELD, RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE ACFT. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED AN OIL COOLER INLET LINE HAD RUPTURED AND HAD DRIPPED OIL ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, CAUSING SMOKE AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. THE LINE WAS WRAPPED WITH ASBESTOS AND HAD BECOME VERY BRITTLE. THE OIL LINE WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND HAD A TOTAL TIME OF 2872 HOURS. THE ACFT HAD JUST RECENTLY RECEIVED AN ANNUAL INSPECTION AND HAD FLOWN LESS THEN ONE HOUR SINCE THE INSPECTION.

Full Narrative

DURING A LOCAL FAMILARIZATION AND ACCEPTANCE FLIGHT FOR THE NEW ACFT OWNER, SMOKE ENTERED THE COCKPIT AND OIL PRESSURE WAS LOST. A PRECAUTIONARY EMERGENCY LDG WAS ATTEMPTED ON A SOFT, MUDDY, PLOWED FARM FIELD, RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE ACFT. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED AN OIL COOLER INLET LINE HAD RUPTURED AND HAD DRIPPED OIL ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, CAUSING SMOKE AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. THE LINE WAS WRAPPED WITH ASBESTOS AND HAD BECOME VERY BRITTLE. THE OIL LINE WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND HAD A TOTAL TIME OF 2872 HOURS. THE ACFT HAD JUST RECENTLY RECEIVED AN ANNUAL INSPECTION AND HAD FLOWN LESS THEN ONE HOUR SINCE THE INSPECTION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-24-250
Tail NumberN8356P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMesser Maurice O
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-A1A5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 58 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point43 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:49
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data