FTW96LA126

The airplane was on its first flight after an engine overhaul. Shortly after takeoff, the engine blew oil onto the pilot's windshield. The pilot shut down the engine and turned back toward the airport. The airplane was unable to make the runway and landed in a rough field. An engine teardown revealed that an incorrect crankshaft oil seal had been installed during the overhaul, and the seal had become dislodged during the flight. In addition, cranshaft and crankcase damage was found, and the damage was determined to be the result of misalignment of the crankcase halves during a previous modification.

On February 22, 1996, at 0915 central standard time, a Piper PA-36-300, N57828, owned and operated by a private owner, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Andrews, Texas. The commercial pilot received minor injuries. The aircraft was being operated as a personal flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated in Andrews, Texas at 0915. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight for which a flight plan was not filed.

The airplane was on its first flight after an engine overhaul. The pilot reported that moments after takeoff, oil "blew over my windshield," and he was unable to see out of the windshield. The pilot shut down the engine and turned back towards runway 30. Unable to make the runway, the airplane touched down in a "very rough pasture, bounced over a fence, and hit on the end of the [runway] overrun," damaging the landing gear and fuselage.

According to the FAA inspector, the crankshaft and crankcase thrust surfaces had failed. A field teardown of the engine, conducted by the FAA Inspector, revealed that the oil pressure loss was traced to the installation of the incorrect crankshaft oil seal. The oil seal had become dislodged during the flight. The crankshaft and crankcase thrust surface damage was determined to be the result of misalignment of the crankcase halves during a previous modification.