DFW07LA029

The 1,622-hour private pilot reported that his single-engine airplane was on a cross-country flight in cruise flight at an altitude of 3,500 feet when he heard a "metallic" noise followed by a loss of oil pressure, and oil spray on the windscreen. Shortly after, he observed smoke before the engine lost power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a state highway; however, just before touching down, a gust of wind pushed the airplane off the highway and it collided with a ditch and a fence. Examination of the engine revealed a hole in the engine case above the number 4 cylinder. Further examination revealed that the oil pressure line that was installed between an after-market oil pressure gauge and the engine had separated at the fitting where it attached to the engine. A review of the maintenance logbooks revealed that the oil pressure line was last replaced approximately 12 years earlier and had accrued approximately 412 hours at the time it failed. There was no entry in the logbook indicating when the new (and larger) oil pressure gauge had been installed.

On November 22, 2006, at 1345 central standard time, a single-engine Beech V-35 airplane, N205DB, was substantially damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power approximately two miles south of the Mountain View Wilcox Memorial Airport (7M2), near Mountain View, Arkansas. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was operated by and registered to the pilot. No flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Wynne, Arkansas, about 1220, and was destined for private airstrip near Cotter, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

The pilot reported that the airplane was in cruise flight at an altitude of 3,500 feet mean seal level (msl) when the engine made a "metallic noise" followed by "no oil pressure, oil sprayed on windshield, then smoke came out and the engine failed." The pilot added that he elected to execute a forced landing on a state highway; however, he encountered a gust of wind prior to touchdown, which pushed the airplane into a ditch adjacent to the highway. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with poles that supported a barbed-wire fence. The collision resulted in structural damage to both wings.

Examination of the engine revealed there was a hole in the engine case above the number 4 cylinder. Further examination revealed that the oil pressure line that was installed between an after-market oil pressure gauge and the engine had separated at the fitting where it attached to the engine. A review of the maintenance logbooks revealed that the failed oil pressure line was last replaced on April 20, 1994, and had accrued approximately 412 hours at the time it failed. There was no entry indicating when the new (and larger) oil pressure gauge had been installed.

The pilot held a private pilot certificate and reported a total of 1,622 hours of flight time, of which 1,420 hours were in the same make and model.

Weather at the Ozark Regional Airport, near Mountain Home, Arkansas, at 1353, was reported as wind from 150 degrees at 7 knots, visibility 9 statue miles, clear skies, temperature 64 degrees Fahrenheit, dewpoint 30 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure setting of 30.17 inches of Mercury.