Feb. 8, Hiwasse, Ark. / Miller-Bell TR-1

At about 12:20 CST, a Miller/Bell TR-1 amateur-built experimental airplane was substantially damaged when it struck a building during a forced landing near Hiwasse. The two occupants, who built and owned the airplane, were not injured. The pilot told investigators that approximately 45 minutes into the flight the engine noise changed and the oil pressure gauge indicated zero. The pilot elected to make a precautionary landing on a road adjacent to a field and a poultry-house, but during the landing flare the wind pushed the aircraft into the side of the poultry-house. The pilot said that a post-accident inspection revealed that the connector for the oil cooler inlet line had backed off, all...

Key Takeaways:

• An amateur-built experimental airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Hiwasse, though its two occupants were uninjured.
• The forced landing was initiated after the pilot experienced a sudden change in engine noise and a complete loss of oil pressure.
• The aircraft struck a poultry-house during the landing flare due to wind, and a post-accident inspection revealed the engine issue was caused by an oil cooler inlet line connector backing off.

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