Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The total loss of engine power due to a lubricating system leak for undetermined reasons which resulted in engine seizure, and the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing. Contributing factors were the plowed field and the nose gear failure which resulted in the nose over.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The pilot reported that during climb out smoke began coming into the cockpit, the engine lost power, the oil pressure dropped to zero, and then the engine seized. The pilot attempted a landing in a plowed field, during which the nose wheel collapsed and the airplane "flipped over on its back." Oil was found on the bottom of the airplane's fuselage during subsequent examination. The examination failed to reveal the source of the oil leak. The airplane had accumulated 0.6 hours of flight time since having undergone an annual condition inspection performed by the pilot/builder.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI08CA034