Tuesday, December 3, 2019


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Engine Oil System Failures 

The engine oil system in the Bell 206 is a very basic and well proven system. In the event of an engine oil system failure, your first indication will be most likely on your gauge. There would be an increase in temperature while a decrease in pressure. The following is an excerpt from the Flight Manual of the 206 in regards to emergency procedures with the engine oil system. If the system is not identified in time an engine failure will occur.  

ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LOW, HIGH, OR FLUCTUATING
If engine oil pressure is below minimum or above maximum, land as soon as possible.
If engine oil pressure fluctuates but does not exceed a limit, monitor engine oil pressure and temperature, and land as soon as practical.
HIGH ENGINE OIL TEMPERATURE
If engine oil temperature exceeds limits, land as soon as practical.

As you notice this is a land as soon as practical, not as soon as possible. The reasoning behind this is due to there is a chip detection system on the engine. The system lets you know when the engine is producing metal flakes which is a sign of possible failure occurring. 

ENGINE CHIP 
Metal particles in engine oil. Land as soon as possible. 

The mitigation solution I am proposing is training. If a pilot is performing his due diligence in monitoring his gauges an oil system failure could be caught and repaired with minor damage and cost. I also believe it is imperative that system training for pilots occurs. I have encountered several pilots over the years that just see the gauges as if they are in the green most of the time your okay. They do not understand the consequences to the aircraft when limits are exceeded.  

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