Bonanza 33
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 936; Flight Crew Total 48500; Flight Crew Type 3200
Other / Unknown; Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure; Aircraft
While established in normal cruise at 6;000 ft MSL 18 NM SE of ZZZ; noticed the oil pressure at +/- 20 psi; normal pressure being 50-60 psi. [Advised ATC] and proceeded direct to ZZZ at 6;000 ft. The engine seized due to oil exhaustion about 10 NM SE of the airport. Due to headwinds and wind-milling propeller; an off airport landing was conducted to a field. The aircraft sustained no damage and was towed the remaining distance to a repair shop located on the airport.  Follow-on investigation revealed oil had leaked from the base of the oil filter adapter bracket through a split in the fiber gasket at the base of the adapter. The aircraft had operated normally with no indication of an oil leak 45 flight hours previous to this incident. The oil filter adapter bracket is an aftermarket product manufactured by F&M; now Tempest; Model C6LC-L. It is imperative that owners and operators of Continental IO-470; IO-520; IO-550; TSIO-520 engines with F&M / Tempest C6LC-L Oil filter adapters diligently follow the manufacturer's ten step installation instructions including the following note: ATTENTION 'The oil filter adapter transfer cylinder must be re-tightened to 65 foot pounds of torque between 8 and 12 hours of operation after its installation or any time the adapter is removed or re-installed. Use of a torque wrench is mandatory.' I believe pilots; owners; operators; mechanics and repair stations are unaware of this critical requirement; which was ultimately a causal factor in this incident.
BE33 pilot reported correct maintenance procedures were not followed resulting in an engine seizure and off airport landing.