By Dan Walsh in Gorey
The Air Accident Investigation Unit has published the final report on a Cessna 150M EI-HJX light aircraft that successfully made a precautionary landing in a field at Ballinglen, Gorey, at 17.15 hrs on May 12th 2023.
“While flying at an altitude of approximately 2,500 feet, north-east of Gorey, Co. Wexford, with a student and instructor on board, the instructor observed hot engine oil flowing from the instrument panel of the Cessna 150M aircraft, and that the engine oil pressure gauge had no pressure indication. A precautionary landing was completed into an agricultural field. The occupants evacuated the aircraft unaided. Subsequently, it was identified that an unapproved repair had been carried out on the engine oil pressure gauge supply pipe, and that this repair had failed. There were no injuries or fire.
“The AAIU was notified of the event by the aircraft owner at approximately 17:35 hrs on the day of the occurrence. Two Inspectors of Air Accidents deployed to the site, arriving there at approximately 19:30 hrs, and an Investigation was commenced.
“The aircraft, with an Instructor and a Student on board, departed Newcastle Airfield (EINC) in Co. Wicklow at 14:55 hrs and completed a touch and go at Waterford Airport (EIWF), at approximately 16:50 hrs. Following the touch and go at EIWF, the aircraft routed north to return to EINC. The Investigation was informed that there were no abnormal indications until the aircraft entered an area north-east of Gorey, Co. Wexford, at an altitude of approximately 2,500 feet (ft).
“The Instructor stated that at this time a ‘pungent engine smell’ was noticed and that the aircraft doors were unlatched to ventilate the aircraft. The Instructor said that moments later, as he was attempting to confirm that there was nothing wrong with the aircraft, hot oil started to flow from the instrument panel and the area at the Instructor’s feet. The Instructor also noted at this time that the oil pressure gauge was indicating ‘no pressure’.
“The Instructor informed the Investigation that he briefed the Student that it would be necessary to carry out a precautionary landing and that he was going to select one of a group of fields into which he would land. Having selected what was judged to be the best available field, the Instructor stated that he began his approach while completing the Emergency Landing memory items as well as briefing the Student.
“The Instructor stated that a Mayday call was broadcast and that the field selected was located just to the west of Tara Hill near Gorey. The Instructor stated that the precautionary landing was completed without incident and that his familiarity with practice forced landing drills, from his instructional duties, was advantageous to him in dealing with this event.
“He estimated that the time taken for both occupants to evacuate the aircraft, once it had come to a stop, was between five and ten seconds. There was no fire.
“The aircraft was not damaged during the landing, and came to rest in an agricultural field, the surface of which was covered in long grass. The aircraft wheels made curved track marks (approximately 55 metres (m) in length) on the grass surface before the aircraft came to rest on a magnetic heading of approximately 350 degrees.
When inspected in the field, the Investigation noted that the instrument panel was open and that oil had pooled on top of the aircraft’s transponder unit. Examination of the area behind the instrument panel identified that a pipe supplying engine oil from the engine to the oil pressure gauge had fractured and allowed engine oil to discharge into the aircraft cockpit.
The Cessna 150M is a high-wing aircraft, equipped with a fixed tricycle landing gear and, electrically actuated wing-flaps. It is powered by a single, four-cylinder, horizontally opposed reciprocating engine. The fuselage and empennage are of an all-metal semi monocoque design. The wings are externally braced and have two metal fuel tanks. The aircraft was equipped with dual controls. The accident aircraft had a certified maximum take-off weight of 726 kg.
Met Éireann, the Irish meteorological service, was asked to provide details of the estimated weather conditions prevailing in the Ballinglen area at the time of the incident.
“A ridge of high pressure, extending from an anticyclone to the south-west, covers Ireland generating a light to moderate northerly airflow. Surface Wind: Wind at 2,000 feet (ft): Surface to 300 ft: North to north-east 8-10 knots (kt). Northeast 10-15 kt. Similar to surface. Visibility: 30 + kilometres (km). Weather: Sunny, with some fair-weather cloud.
The Air Accident Investigation Unit “Having identified that the aircraft had developed a significant oil leak, a field was selected, and a precautionary landing was carried out without further damage to the aircraft and with no reported injuries to personnel. The Investigation identified that the cause of the oil leak was the failure of an unapproved repair that had joined two sections of metal pipe butted together using a plastic sleeve secured with tie-wraps and locking wire.”
WexfordLocal.com 