CEN13LA056

The pilot reported that the airplane was in cruise flight at 7,000 ft mean sea level when he noticed that the engine oil pressure had dropped to an unacceptable level. He then attempted to divert to land at a nearby airport. However, when the airplane was on the downwind leg and after the landing gear had been extended, the engine experienced a total loss of power, so the pilot made an off-airport landing. During the landing on a soft, plowed field, the airplane flipped over and then came to rest inverted. Review of maintenance records revealed that recent maintenance, which included the replacement of the engine oil filter, had been performed on the engine. A postaccident examination of the airframe revealed an abundance of engine oil on the airplane's belly; the oil extended from the engine compartment to the tail surfaces. A teardown examination of the engine revealed that a connecting rod had released from the crankshaft due to lubrication distress. An examination of the oil filter revealed that the oil filter adapter fiber seal washer was torn where the adaptor attaches to the oil pump housing and that the washer and the oil filter adaptor were misaligned. The improper installation of the oil filter adaptor likely caused the loss of oil to the engine and the subsequent total loss of engine power.

On November 9, 2012, about 0721 central standard time, N732BL, a Cessna 210L, single engine airplane, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Fayette Regional Air Center Airport (3T5), La Grange, Texas. The pilot and both passengers sustained minor injures. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual. Day visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 business flight. The airplane departed San Marcos Municipal Airport (HYI), San Marcos, Texas, about 0650 destined for Baytown Airport (HPY), Baytown, Texas.The airplane was in cruise flight at 7,000 feet mean sea level when the pilot noticed that the engine oil pressure had dropped to an unacceptable level. The pilot requested a descent and vectors to divert for landing at 3T5. Radar data showed the airplane was about 2,500 feet above ground level when it overflew 3T5. When the airplane was on downwind and after the lowering the landing gear the pilot reported that he had a total loss of engine power and made an off-airport landing about a mile north from 3T5. During the landing on a soft plowed field the airplane flipped and came to rest inverted. A review of aircraft maintenance logbook entries showed that maintenance had been performed on the engine about three weeks prior to the accident. That maintenance included replacement of the engine oil filter. A postaccident examination of the airframe revealed an abundance of engine oil on the belly of the airplane which extended from the engine compartment all the way to the tail surfaces. A teardown examination of the engine revealed lubrication distress, and mechanical damage on all connecting rod journals with damage concentrated where the number four connecting rod had released from the crankshaft and had penetrated through the crankcase. An examination of the oil filter showed that it contained an abundance of flakes and slivers from the damaged internal engine components. The oil filter adapter fiber seal washer was observed to be torn where the adaptor attaches to the oil pump housing and had signatures of misalignment with the oil filter adaptor.