Dipsticks

The following is derived from maintenance facility submissions to the FAA’s Service Difficulty Reports database.

Aviation Safety

Thursday, July 04, 2024 at 05:20 AM ET

Verified

Edited By: Omar Filipovic

USAF Thunderbirds Jim Koepnick

Key Takeaways:

Improperly secured or detached oil dipsticks can lead to critical in-flight issues such as low oil pressure warnings and engine shutdowns.
Other reported problems include dipstick component failure (e.g., self-disassembly during maintenance) and manufacturing defects like incorrect markings, leading to over-servicing and excessive oil consumption.

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Beech C99 Airliner

Dipstick Not Secured

In cruise shortly after takeoff, the right engine low oil pressure warning light illuminated. The pilot shut down the right engine, declared an emergency and returned without further incident. Maintenance inspected right engine and found its oil dipstick was not secured and performed manufacturer’s recommended inspection. No defect found. Aircraft was returned to service.