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TB20 pilot experiences loss of oil pressure indication during climb and elects to return to departure airport for an uneventful landing. Oil pressure indication returns during the descent.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 952711 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201106 |
| Local Time Of Day | 0601-1200 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Trinidad TB-20 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Climb |
| Route In Use | Direct |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Oil Pressure Indication |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying Single Pilot |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Private |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20 Flight Crew Total 1400 Flight Crew Type 400 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe |
Narrative:
Departed on IFR flight plan and during climb to 11;000 cruising altitude; engine oil pressure indicator fell to zero. Engine was running normally. I informed ATC; that I had the indicator showing no oil pressure; and that the engine was running; and I was not sure if it was just an instrumentation error. They offered any assistance I wanted. I decided to return to my departure airport as a precaution. I did not declare an emergency. I proceeded direct to the airport and was given priority status. The tower was handling the situation as an emergency. The oil pressure indicator returned to a normal status on my descent; the engine never seemed to run abnormally. Landing was normal.post landing I taxied in front of the tower; a restricted zone; 2 men were standing there; I thought that is where they wanted me; and the tower instructed me to taxi north or south; which I did. After shutdown at the FBO; fire truck with a friendly man wearing a hazard suit asked if we were ok; I said yes and explained what happened. I think everyone was relieved nothing happened.it is difficult to troubleshoot a potential catastrophic event for the engine in flight. I feel the precautionary landing the safest option for me and my passengers. My airplane also has an oil pressure annunciator light; which did not illuminate during this event; however; if faulty wiring was a problem; its lack of operation is not helpful.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: TB20 pilot experiences loss of oil pressure indication during climb and elects to return to departure airport for an uneventful landing. Oil pressure indication returns during the descent.
Narrative: Departed on IFR flight plan and during climb to 11;000 cruising altitude; engine oil pressure indicator fell to zero. Engine was running normally. I informed ATC; that I had the indicator showing no oil pressure; and that the engine was running; and I was not sure if it was just an instrumentation error. They offered any assistance I wanted. I decided to return to my departure airport as a precaution. I did not declare an emergency. I proceeded direct to the airport and was given priority status. The Tower was handling the situation as an emergency. The oil pressure indicator returned to a normal status on my descent; the engine never seemed to run abnormally. Landing was normal.Post landing I taxied in front of the Tower; a restricted zone; 2 men were standing there; I thought that is where they wanted me; and the Tower instructed me to taxi north or south; which I did. After shutdown at the FBO; fire truck with a friendly man wearing a hazard suit asked if we were OK; I said yes and explained what happened. I think everyone was relieved nothing happened.It is difficult to troubleshoot a potential catastrophic event for the engine in flight. I feel the precautionary landing the safest option for me and my passengers. My airplane also has an oil pressure annunciator light; which did not illuminate during this event; however; if faulty wiring was a problem; its lack of operation is not helpful.
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.