Pilot Debrief

HARRITY WILLIAM V GLASAIR (SH2F) near Maynardville, TN — 2016-07-06

Final reportERA16LA272
Sign in to save
Date
2016-07-06
Location
Maynardville, TN, USA
Aircraft
HARRITY WILLIAM V GLASAIR (SH2F)
Registration
N67WH
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The in-flight failure of the No. 3 cylinder connecting rod for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examination.

NTSB narrative

While the airplane was climbing to 7,500 ft mean sea level, the private pilot noted that the engine oil temperature was getting high, so he leveled off for a few minutes to cool down the engine before resuming the climb. When the airplane was passing through 6,000 ft, the engine shuddered and lost all power; smoke started filling the cockpit. The pilot declared an emergency, shut down the engine, and selected an uncongested two-lane highway for landing. During his final approach, after maneuvering to avoid power lines, he pulled back to flare the airplane, but the airplane "pancaked" onto the road, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the No. 3 cylinder connecting rod had separated from the piston near the wrist pin. The investigation could not determine the reason for the separation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to land earlier when engine oil temperature was high.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

Related mishaps