JABIRU 2.2 ENGINE - engine failure after loss of oil pressure
G,
In reply to above...
A few weeks ago a mate of mine started his first lesson of dual circuits with an instructor in a 2.2 ltr engined LSA-55/3J (short fuselage) Jabiru. According to him the QFI noticed the oil pressure gauge needle suddenly dropped to zero turning from crosswind to downwind. The QFI took control despite the fact that the engine RPM and sound wasn't missing a beat at this stage.
Apparently the urgency of the situation wasn't lost on the QFI, as he flew the aircraft to the closest runway to perform a landing just in case the engine flamed out. Established on final the engine was still performing OK, when according to my friend, at about 100' AGL on finals, he felt a "buzz" or "vibration" through the rudder pedals down to the flare.
The QFI flared and held off. Just at the instant the mains touched the runway the engine finally flamed out; the prop just stopped dead with no windmilling. They got out and discovered oil covering the inside of the engine nacelle - hose clamp had loosened and separated allowing all of the oil to drain out of the crankcase.
Anecdotally, I've been told that the 2.2 ltr engine's piston design allows 10 minutes of engine running time, immmediately after all of the oil drains out of the engine, to allow the poor pilot to perform a forced landing before the engine stops!
As I write, the engine re-build has been completed and apparently the damage was not as extensive as expected with the loss of lubrication
Aye,
MJP