Oil Leaking out of Tail Cone

[epsalant]

I am getting ready to sign up for a Mooney Pilot Proficiency Program.  When I was looking through the program it listed several of the "what if's" that you'll be prepared for after taking the PPP.  One of these what if's was What to do if you see oil dripping from the tail ?

I thought I knew my Mooney pretty well, I guess not and hence I'll be taking the PPP.  Does anyone know how oil could leak out the tail  ?  I didn't think there'd be any way it could/ get back there.  At least no easy way...

[Rustler]

Evan--

 

You look in the baggage compartment and remove the broken bottle of oil that is leaking onto the floor.

[epsalant]

Yup, that would do it !!!  Often it's the low-tech stuff that gets ya

[N9937c]

A leaking oil bottle would be running out near the rear bulhead in front of the battery, NOT AT THE TAIL.

larry

[jetdriven]

only thing back there is the jackscrew.  it is greased though.

[jlunseth]

Two possibilities.  On some aircraft the brake reservoir is in the tailcone, it is in mine.  That could be leaking, and the bulkhead at the joint between the tail assembly and the fuselage would either stop that flow, or it would find a way to leak at the tail joint.  I believe the color is different from engine oil, but not sure about that.  The other is a serious engine leak.  The oil is spread by the airstream in flight in a thin layer over the belly, then collects at the tail and drips off.  It comes off the tip of the tail or the skid.  If you see that happening, hopefully you are already on the ground observing it, if your gauges are telling you in the air it is happening, it is time to get to the ground with immediacy.