PA-31 Navajo/Chieftan/Mojave/T1040
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 11; Flight Crew Total 16000; Flight Crew Type 3000
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
During a takeoff to meet the Company requirement for currency; the starboard engine lost 25% power at 100 feet AGL. The climb was continued to pattern altitude of 900 feet MSL. Upon observing a loss of oil pressure; a precautionary shut down of the starboard engine was completed. Since there was no engine failure and the shutdown was precautionary; no report was filed since it was not required by the FAR. Maintenance investigation revealed a 1 1/2 inch wide; 7 inch long; piece of masking tape in the oil inlet screen causing the loss of oil pressure indication. Further investigation revealed no immediate damage to the aircraft engine; however a mandatory service bulletin by Lycoming does require an engine tear down for an event such as this.
PA-31 pilot reported power loss and low oil pressure in right engine. A precautionary shutdown was accomplished and after landing a piece of tape was found in the oil inlet screen.