Pilot Debrief

Eagle DW1 near Ider, AL — 2018-07-18

Final reportERA18LA195
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Date
2018-07-18
Location
Ider, AL, USA
Aircraft
Eagle DW1
Registration
N8805X
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

Fatigue failure of the No. 2 cylinder studs/through bolts and the fracture of the crankcase, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was conducting an aerial application flight. He stated that while maneuvering at 1,500 ft, he heard a "deep knock" in the engine; the entire windshield became covered with oil, and the engine lost power. The pilot made a forced landing to a service road, during which the airplane struck a barbed-wire fence with the right wings before coming to rest in a field. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed the No. 2 cylinder had separated from the cylinder mounting deck. Two fractured sections of the left crankcase that included part of the No. 2 cylinder bore were found in the engine cowling. All but one of the No. 2 cylinder base studs and through bolts remained in the cylinder bore and were fractured. The fractured surfaces exhibited signatures consistent with fatigue. The fatigue failure of the No. 2 cylinder studs and through bolts and the fracture of the crankcase led to the loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Proper engine maintenance could have prevented the power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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