Bonanza 35
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 2200; Flight Crew Type 200
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution
Aircraft
While [I was] doing pattern work at my home airport an oil leak occurred which forced oil out of the oil access door on the cowl. The oil immediately began to build up on the windshield on the pilot's side. I was on the upwind and notified Tower of the leak and requested immediate return in right traffic for the longest runway. Tower cleared me as requested and I landed without incident. I did not declare an emergency; and did not feel that I was in any imminent danger; all oil pressure/temp readings and EGT/CHT readings remained normal throughout the incident. I was able to taxi the aircraft to parking without assistance. At the time of the event the only other aircraft using the airport was in left traffic for the parallel runway.
Shortly after takeoff while doing pattern work; a BE35 pilot requested an immediate turn toward and landing on another; more expeditiously accessed; runway due to an engine oil leak which was obscuring his forward vision.