Pilot Debrief

Lancair LC41 near Moscow, PA — 2018-12-04

Final reportERA19LA063
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Date
2018-12-04
Location
Moscow, PA, USA
Aircraft
Lancair LC41
Registration
N618G
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power and catastrophic engine failure due to the failure of the left turbocharger, which resulted in oil loss and oil starvation. Contributing to the accident was the failure of maintenance personnel to overhaul the turbocharger in accordance with manufacturer guidance.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, about 20 minutes after departure, the airplane began to shudder. He adjusted the engine power, but the airplane continued to shake before the engine lost total power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a road, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual examination revealed multiple holes in the top of the engine crankcase. Disassembly of the engine revealed that the Nos. 2, 3, 4, and 5 connecting rods were fractured and separated from the connecting rod journals. The connecting rods, connecting rod bearings, and the crankshaft’s connecting rod journals displayed thermal discoloration consistent with oil starvation. Examination of the engine components and engine-related systems revealed no evidence of a pre-impact oil leak; however, the left turbocharger was missing its turbine wheel, and the shaft was fractured outboard of the turbine piston ring. A test run of an exemplar engine without the left turbine wheel revealed significant oil loss during operation. The left turbocharger was overhauled 158 flight hours before the accident, and its wheel assemblies were reused rather than replaced, as specified by the manufacturer. It is likely the separation of the left turbine wheel resulted in oil escaping the engine, which resulted in oil starvation and catastrophic engine failure.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have returned to the departure airport after first engine trouble.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents10

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