Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
a loss of power due to the failure of the number 2 connecting rod.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
The pilot reported that after flying for about 40 minutes he noticed the oil temperature gauge begin to rise. He started looking for a suitable place to land when the oil temperature and engine temperature gauges both went beyond the red line. At 2,500 feet the engine made loud metallic clanking noises and began shaking violently. He shut the engine down and continued to make an emergency landing in to a plowed field. Upon landing the airplane nosed over. Examination of the engine revealed that the connecting rod for the number 2 piston failed. The engine time since last overhaul was 6 hours.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX07CA181