Narrative:

Upon descent from 5500ft and approximately 8-10 miles from the airport I started to notice what looked like bugs on the windscreen but quickly realized it was oil. I used what power I thought I had left to climb back up to 3000 feet and to ensure at least a deadstick landing at the airport. Oil deposited profusely onto the windscreen and I had to use a sideslip to keep it on the passenger side and allow my side to keep some visibility. Oil smoke started to enter the cabin and I opened all the vents to keep it at bay. I then pointed the aircraft directly to the end of the runway to get on the ground faster. I lowered gear and flaps as late as possible to ensure an on-field landing in case of engine seizure. I estimated I over flew a house at the corner of the runway at about 80-100ft. Upon landing and engine shut down the remaining oil deposited on the ground. Post flight inspection showed oil covering the cowl and windscreen over the windows on the rear vertical and horizontal stabs. Oil had come out from the front of the engine and also covered the engine compartment inside the cowl as well as the exhaust pipes which caused the oil smoke. The cause of the oil loss was determined to be the propeller shaft seal. At no time during the event did I lose oil pressure indication or did the engine temperature exceed limitations. I believe the quick action to reduce power after initial climb and shutdown after landing saved the engine from any damage. No injuries and physical damages occurred. Recommend iar-823 owners check and or replace propeller shaft seals when working on the propeller.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An IAR-823 pilot suffered the loss of most engine oil through a failed propeller seal. An expedited approach and safe landing was made.

Narrative: Upon descent from 5500ft and approximately 8-10 miles from the airport I started to notice what looked like bugs on the windscreen but quickly realized it was oil. I used what power I thought I had left to climb back up to 3000 feet and to ensure at least a deadstick landing at the airport. Oil deposited profusely onto the windscreen and I had to use a sideslip to keep it on the passenger side and allow my side to keep some visibility. Oil smoke started to enter the cabin and I opened all the vents to keep it at bay. I then pointed the aircraft directly to the end of the runway to get on the ground faster. I lowered gear and flaps as late as possible to ensure an on-field landing in case of engine seizure. I estimated I over flew a house at the corner of the runway at about 80-100ft. Upon landing and engine shut down the remaining oil deposited on the ground. Post flight inspection showed oil covering the cowl and windscreen over the windows on the rear vertical and horizontal stabs. Oil had come out from the front of the engine and also covered the engine compartment inside the cowl as well as the exhaust pipes which caused the oil smoke. The cause of the oil loss was determined to be the propeller shaft seal. At no time during the event did I lose oil pressure indication or did the engine temperature exceed limitations. I believe the quick action to reduce power after initial climb and shutdown after landing saved the engine from any damage. No injuries and physical damages occurred. Recommend IAR-823 owners check and or replace propeller shaft seals when working on the propeller.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.