NTSB Factual Report

On August 23, 2012, about 0905 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32R-301T, N362DM, sustained substantial damage during a force landing on a highway near Tampa, Florida. The commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rule flight plan was filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, personal flight. The flight originated from the Peter O Knight Airport (TPF), Tampa, Florida, at 0900.

The pilot stated that during his preflight inspection he noted the engine required two quarts of oil, which was added before the flight. The ground run up check and the initial climb was uneventful. At approximately 4,000 feet means sea level the “Low Voltage” warning light on the instrument panel illuminated. He cycled the alternator; however, the warning light continued. The pilot communicated with the air traffic controller of the situation and was vectored back to TPF. During the return, it was noted that the windshield was accumulating a film of oil. At first, it seemed to be nothing more than a fine spray; however, it quickly covered the windshield on the pilot side. A stream of oil coming from the front of the engine cowling was observed. The pilot communicated to the controller of the loss of engine oil and was not sure that the airplane would be able to reach TPF. At this time the engine oil pressure indication was “0”. The pilot declared an emergency and advised his intentions on landing on a section of the interstate highway (I-75). The pilot maneuvered the airplane and landed on the median area between the north and south bound lanes. During the landing roll the left wing made contact with a highway sign before coming to a stop. All onboard were able to exit the airplane on their own.

An examination of the wreckage by the responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed an eight foot section of the outer left wing was separated. Engine oil was observed leaking from the forward section of the engine.

A postaccident engine examination by an FAA inspector revealed a noticeable cut on the lower left side of the propeller governor gasket. In addition, the lower left lock nut which secures one of three control cable bracket tube ends and propeller governor did not appear to be properly seated and the anti-tamper putty was present. The engine was serviced with six quarts of engine oil and the spark plugs were removed. The oil residue on the propeller governor was cleaned off to observe of any leaks. The engine was rotated several times with the starter. Fresh engine oil started seeping immediately from the area where the gasket was cut. The bracket, governor, and gasket were removed for examination. The lower left corner of the gasket broke off during removal. Several cracks were observed promulgating down to the lower section of the gasket where the oil leak was concentrated. The control cable support bracket tube end where the oil leak was from was observed with its top section missing (broken off). The other two tube ends were intact.

The airplane’s owner stated to the FAA inspector that the airplane had no history of any discrepancies with the airplane’s engine that would require the removal of that control cable support bracket. He did mention, a few years ago he had a maintenance facility correct an engine oil leak during an overnight stay. The mechanic on duty was not familiar with general aviation piston engines. The work order for that oil leak trouble shooting, dated November 4, 2007, was obtained by the FAA inspector. The replacement of an oil temperature sensor gasket and a repair to the breather tube corrected the leak. The engine has since then accumulated about 650 operational hours before the accident. A review of the airplane’s maintenance logbooks by FAA did not reveal documentation of the work performed on November 4, 2007. In addition, there were no entries that would account for the removal of the control cable support bracket tube ends from the propeller governor attachment engine mounted studs.

NTSB Probable Cause

Damage to the propeller governor gasket during installation by unknown persons, which resulted in a total loss of engine oil in flight and a subsequent forced landing.