Peter Neumann

I own and fly an Aerostar 601P equipped with Lyc. TSIO540-J2BD engines and Garrett Airesearch Turbochargers. On November 13, 2009 while climbing through 17,000 feet MSL, the left engine lost power and the oil pressure dropped from 85 psi to about 20 psi. I feathered the propellor and shut down and secured the left engine and made a precautionary landing. On the ground I discovered that the left wing's underside was covered with crankcase oil which had been sucked out of the engine, leaving less than two quarts of oil in the engine. No engine or aircraft damage was sustained. The Garret Airesearch turbocharger was sent to Approved Turbos Company in Visalia, California for rebuilding and it is now on my hangar shelf as a spare turbo. Approved Turbos company can be contacted for further information on this failure.