Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 849; Flight Crew Type 55
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution
Aircraft; Human Factors
[A Flight Instructor] and I departed to finish up my check-out in accordance with the flying club checkout policy. We had done a careful pre-flight; with good fuel and oil levels and no squawks; and had a normal run-up and engine readings before takeoff. I was in the left seat; and we did about an hour of air work and then landed at ZZZ1 to get fuel; but found the fuel station blocked by construction work. We took off to the South and turned west for ZZZ2. Engine readings were normal on takeoff. As we leveled on course at 3;000 FT I remarked that the engine had a strange sound to it. In about a minute [the instructor] agreed and we determined that oil pressure was zero. We were lined up with ZZZ3 runway at 8 or 10 miles; and turned North with the intent to make a precautionary landing [there]. The engine got progressively worse and made considerable vibration. We agreed that we would not make ZZZ3 without severe engine damage and/or a possible catastrophic failure; and that the cornfield east of the airport was the best landing place. At about 500 feet [the instructor] took the flight controls and shut off the engine before we landed. He landed the plane to the North; between corn rows. The corn plants were only a foot or so high and caused no difficulty; and the ground was a bit moist but not enough to cause problems. We came to rest with no damage to the aircraft externally and no injuries to ourselves. It looked as if the damage to the field and crop was minimal. After we landed I attempted to contact the FSDO but they had closed for the day. I did contact local police and they referred me to state police; who sent an officer. I then called our Club VP of Maintenance; who called the FAA and also began working on transport and repair options. Upon inspection there was no visible external damage to the plane; there were approximately 12-13 gallons of fuel in the tanks and the oil level was normal on the dipstick. The propeller turned readily but some binding was felt. This was a danger fraught incident with a happy ending. The main lessons for me are (1 watch the engine instruments and 2) every engine failure has a unique personality. We might have made the airport; but the decision to put down was the less risky; even though not as convenient. I think it was the right one.
A pilot and Flight Instructor performed a successful off field landing after observing no oil pressure indication accompanied by a strange engine noise and vibration.