SR20
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Diverted
Aircraft
On our way back to [base]; we noticed oil spilling through the seams of the engine nacelle which covered our windscreen. The oil spill momentarily stopped; but gradually increased again; with oil gushing over the top of the cowling. At this point; we began to divert to [a suitable alternate] 12 miles northeast of our position. The engine started to make a grinding sound and we were unable to maintain altitude; with airspeed beginning to drop. Due to the copious amounts of oil on the windscreen; depth and distance became incredibly difficult to judge. We were about 8 miles southwest of the airport when altitude was no longer sustainable. I aimed for a green field; with forward visibility extremely limited; and saw a road last minute at 300 feet and made a 45 degree bank and landed on the road. We landed hard on the pavement and veered into the dirt on the left and did a 180 degree spin and came to rest next to a ditch.
SR20 instructor pilot reported landing on a road after experiencing oil leakage and engine failure in flight.