Engine oil loss — Beechcraft King Air 350, RFDS

Summary

An RFDS King Air 350ER declared PAN-PAN after the right engine low oil pressure light illuminated en route from Cairns to Cooktown with a critically ill patient on board. The crew shut down the right engine and diverted to Cairns. The patient was transferred to another aircraft. Inspection found a ruptured oil cooler line.

Investigation Findings (4)

1. 01Oil loss from the right engine was caused by a fatigue fracture of the oil cooler outlet hose fitting.
2. 02The hose was within its scheduled replacement interval.
3. 03Beechcraft issued a service bulletin recommending early replacement of oil hoses manufactured in a specific date range.
4. 04RFDS reviewed its maintenance program to adopt the SB recommendation.