A DHC8-100 captain rejected the takeoff when the low oil pressure warning light illuminated and afte...

Narrative:

After deicing with type 1 fluid we taxied out to the runway for departure. Once we were cleared for takeoff I held the brakes and ran the power up to 40 percent for 10 seconds; and everything looked normal. I released the brakes and started my takeoff roll. Soon after setting takeoff power the number 1 engine oil pressure warning light illuminated; and we rejected the takeoff at 80 knots. The warning light extinguished after 5 seconds when I reduced the power. I proceeded to shut down the number 1 engine and we taxied back to the gate. The mechanic arrived and checked out the number 1 engine and found that it was 3 quarts low on oil. He said that maintenance told them it had been 3 days since the oils had been checked! No leaks were noted. I asked him if 3 quarts low could cause the oil pressure warning light to illuminate and he said that it was the probable cause. It may be necessary for maintenance do more frequent oil checks.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A DHC8-100 Captain rejected the takeoff when the LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING light illuminated and after returning to the gate Maintenance discovered the oil had not been serviced for three days resulting in the quantity being three quarts low.

Narrative: After deicing with Type 1 fluid we taxied out to the Runway for departure. Once we were cleared for takeoff I held the brakes and ran the power up to 40 percent for 10 seconds; and everything looked normal. I released the brakes and started my takeoff roll. Soon after setting takeoff power the Number 1 engine oil pressure warning light illuminated; and we rejected the takeoff at 80 knots. The warning light extinguished after 5 seconds when I reduced the power. I proceeded to shut down the Number 1 engine and we taxied back to the gate. The mechanic arrived and checked out the Number 1 engine and found that it was 3 quarts low on oil. He said that Maintenance told them it had been 3 days since the oils had been checked! No leaks were noted. I asked him if 3 quarts low could cause the oil pressure warning light to illuminate and he said that it was the probable cause. It may be necessary for Maintenance do more frequent oil checks.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1052194
Time
Date	201211
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Dash 8-100
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Takeoff
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Powerplant Lubrication System
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Person 2
Function	First Officer Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Deviation - Procedural Maintenance

A DHC8-100 captain rejected the takeoff when the low oil pressure warning light illuminated and after returning to the gate maintenance discovered the oil had not been serviced for three days resulting in the quantity being three quarts low.