CEN22LA247

While enroute on a cross-country flight, an aural alarm sounded that indicated the oil pressure was low. The pilot turned to the nearest airport for a precautionary landing and attempted to troubleshoot the issue, but the engine remained very “sluggish.” While maneuvering toward the airport the pilot could not maintain altitude and made an off-field landing into a field about 7.5 miles from the airport. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and forward section of the fuselage during the forced landing. No preimpact anomalies were found with the airframe, fuel-injected engine, or engine oil system that would have precluded normal operations. The engine had continuity throughout its drive system. The engine controls were connected and secured from the cockpit to the engine and the oil and fuel lines were connected and secured. The engine oil cooler and associated oil lines did not show any evidence of oil leakage. Oil was present in the oil lines, engine oil sump, and oil pump. The oil pump turned freely with no binding. The reason for the low oil pressure warning and the subsequent partial loss of engine power could not be determined.

On June 9, 2022, about 1545 central standard time, a Piper PA32R-301 airplane, N416TS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Olla, Louisiana. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot was flying under visual flight rules (VFR) from Union Parish Airport (F87), Farmerville, Louisiana, to Houma, Louisiana, with VFR flight following services provided by air traffic control. While enroute at 3,000 ft above mean sea level, an aural alarm sounded that indicated the oil pressure was low. He turned to the nearest airport for a precautionary landing and attempted to troubleshoot the issue, but the engine remained very “sluggish.” While maneuvering toward Olla Municipal Airport (L47), Olla, Louisiana, he could not maintain altitude and made an off-field landing into a field located about 7.5 miles east of L47. The airplane sustained damage to the right wing and forward section of the fuselage during the forced landing. The airplane wreckage was transported to a secure facility in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for further examination. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact anomalies with the airframe, engine, or engine oil system. The engine controls were found connected and secured from the cockpit to the engine. The engine had continuity throughout its drive system; suction and compression were verified on all cylinders. The left and right magnetos were tested and produced spark to their respective spark plugs leads. The fuel servo fuel screen was clean and free of debris. The fuel injection distribution block was intact and had a small amount of fuel in it. The engine-driven fuel pump operated when tested. The oil and fuel lines were found connected and secured. Examination of the engine oil cooler and associated oil lines did not reveal any evidence of oil leakage. Oil was present in the oil lines, engine oil sump, and oil pump. The oil pump turned freely with no binding.