N56706

On July 13, 1999, about 2044 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-200, N56706, registered to an individual, received substantial damage during a forced landing on a golf course near Boca Raton, Florida. The private-rated pilot reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed in the vicinity, and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight was being conducted in accordance with Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight had originated at Lantana, Florida, at 2025.

The pilot stated that he was flying southbound along the coast when he noticed that there was no indication on the engine oil pressure gauge, so he followed the procedure for loss of oil pressure. He elected to turn towards the Boca Raton Airport, and tried to climb, but the engine started to run rough, and then lost complete power. At the time the flight was at an altitude of 1,200 feet. The pilot elected to land on a golf course that was directly ahead, and sent out a Mayday. The airplane landed "hard" on a fairway, the main landing gear separated and the airplane came to a stop.

The engine was examined under the supervision of the FAA, at the request of the NTSB, at Certified Engines Unlimited, Opa-Locka, Florida, July 22, 1999. According to the FAA inspector's statement the teardown revealed, "...pulled the finger screen out and removed the drive case and disassembled the oil pump, it appeared that the oil pump idler impeller failed. Subsequently, the engine quit due to lack of oil lubrication...the failed pump impeller questioned by AD-81-18-04 indicates non compliance."