Pilot Debrief

GRIFF Challenger near Switz City, IN — 2019-06-11

Final reportCEN19LA163
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Date
2019-06-11
Location
Switz City, IN, USA
Aircraft
GRIFF Challenger
Registration
N582L
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to failure of a connecting rod bearing. Contributing to the engine failure was the lack of an engine overhaul within the prescribed interval.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the experimental, amateur-built airplane reported that, while returning to the airport after a local flight, the engine speed "suddenly" decreased from about 5,000 rpm to 2,500 rpm. He trimmed the airplane for its best glide airspeed and began looking for a forced landing site. About 30 seconds later, the engine seized and lost power completely. The airplane touched down short of the pilot's intended landing point and nosed over resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and empennage. An engine examination revealed that a lower connecting rod bearing had failed, resulting in the total loss of engine power. Maintenance records indicated that an engine overhaul was completed slightly more than 5 years before the accident flight. The engine manufacturer's maintenance schedule specified that an engine overhaul be completed every 5 years or 300 hours, whichever comes first. It is likely that, had the engine been overhauled in accordance with manufacturer guidance, the worn connecting rod bearing would have been detected during the overhaul and resulted in its replacement.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Perform timely engine overhaul to prevent power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents5

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