The aircraft departed Newcastle Airfield (EINC), County Wicklow, Ireland, with two pilots on board. The intention was to perform a short flight before returning to Newcastle Airfield. Approximately 20 minutes into the flight, a small amount of blue smoke was noticed in the cockpit, followed by a loss of engine oil pressure. The pilot decided to carry out a forced landing and a suitable field was selected. To prevent engine damage, the pilot shut down the engine during the approach to the chosen field. The aircraft landed and came to rest without further incident. There were no injuries and the aircraft was undamaged. Subsequent examination revealed that a hose supplying engine oil to the engine oil cooler had disconnected in flight, resulting in the loss of all engine oil. The aircraft was fitted with a Jabiru 2200A engine.
As the accident occurred in Ireland, the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) Ireland is responsible for investigating this occurrence. As part of its investigation, the AAIU requested assistance from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) as the State of Manufacture of the engine. In accordance with chapter 5.18 of Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, the ATSB appointed an accredited representative to assist the AAIU and initiated an investigation (AE-2015-051) under the Australian Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003.
The AAIU investigation has been completed and the final investigation report is available from the AAIU website at www.aaiu.ie.
The report contains two recommendations for Jabiru Aircraft Pty Ltd:
- Jabiru Aircraft Pty Ltd should include a warning in the Instruction and Maintenance Manuals for the Jabiru 2200 engine and similar Jabiru engine types, highlighting that if oil cooler hoses are installed with oil on the hose fittings or, with oil on the inside of the hose in the vicinity of the fittings, hose security may be adversely affected.
- Jabiru Aircraft Pty Ltd should, with the aid of a suitable publication, promulgate de-identified details of the subject event to users of its engines.
In accordance with Chapter 6.12 of Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, Jabiru Aircraft Pty Ltd have advised the ATSB that they have communicated the following actions to the AAIU:
Jabiru Aircraft Pty Ltd released Service Letter (JSL018) on 1 October 2015 as an informational letter on the subject of oil cooler hoses applicable to all Jabiru engines. Additionally, the following text has been added to Installation Manuals JEM3302-6 and JEM2202-8, and Maintenance Manual JEM0002-6:
‘Note: If oil cooler hoses are installed with oil on the hose fittings or, with oil on the inside of the hose in the vicinity of the fittings, hose security may be adversely affected.’