Pilot Debrief

BESARICK SKYBOLT near Punta Gorda, FL — 2018-03-17

Final reportERA18LA110
Sign in to save
Date
2018-03-17
Location
Punta Gorda, FL, USA
Airport
PGD
Aircraft
BESARICK SKYBOLT
Registration
N27265
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

A substantial oil leak, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and failure of the No. 2 connecting rod.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was flying the airplane on the first flight of a 10-hour break-in period after an engine overhaul. The preflight inspection and ground operations were normal, with no signs of oil leaks. About 35 minutes into the flight, oil appeared on both windscreens, blocking the pilot’s forward visibility; the windscreens eventually became completely covered with oil. The pilot contacted tower personnel, who cleared him to land. The engine then lost partial power. Tower personnel reported smoke coming from the engine. Unable to make the runway, the pilot chose to land the airplane in a field. After landing, the airplane collided with a ditch and came to rest. The engine caught fire, and the pilot egressed the airplane. A postcrash fire consumed most of the wreckage. Examination of the engine revealed a large hole in the top of the engine case adjacent to the No. 2 cylinder. The No. 2 connecting rod was fractured at the crankshaft. The connecting rod failure was likely the result of oil starvation to the crankshaft. Extensive postcrash fire damage to the engine, hoses, and accessories prevented investigators from determining the source of the oil leak.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted the flight after oil appeared on windscreens.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

Related mishaps