20080919849859A

(-23) As reported by the pilot, after approximately one hour and twenty minutes of flight at an altitude of 3100 feet AGL the pilot noticed a film of oil beginning to accumulate on the windshield. Further examination by the pilot indicated the source of the oil to be coming over the forward right side of the engine cowling and onto the windshield. Within one minute, forward visibilty was severely restricted and the pilot relied on instruments and visual reference to the ground from the side window. The pilot went through his emergency checklist and scanned the engine instruments which were indicating normal oil pressure and temperature limits. The pilot reduced power and decided to ditch the aircraft in a clear hay field within gliding distance of his current position. Upon positioning the aircraft to land he lost forward visibility reference because of the oil obscured windshield and was unable to obtain a proper flair angle for touchdown. Subsequently, the aircraft landed firmly and the right main landing gear wheel and brake assembly separated upon touchdown, the aircraft came to rest on the nose substantially damaging the engine mounts, wings and the aircraft structure forward of the cockpit.