Pilot Debrief

ECCKER HURRICANE HAULER near Jamul, CA — 2010-09-28

Final reportWPR10LA477
Sign in to save
Date
2010-09-28
Location
Jamul, CA, USA
Aircraft
ECCKER HURRICANE HAULER
Registration
N7519W
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The loss of engine power during cruise flight due to engine seizure as a result of lack of lubrication from excessive carbon buildup on the piston rings.

NTSB narrative

While in cruise flight, the airplane's engine began to lose power and eventually stopped running. The pilot performed a forced landing in a field. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted a fence, substantially damaging the airframe and wings. According to the pilot, the airplane's two-cycle engine is designed to receive lubrication to the piston via engine oil premixed into the automobile gasoline. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed excessive carbon buildup on the piston rings, which more than likely reduced the lubrication between the piston rings and the cylinder wall and led to overheating and a subsequent seizure of the engine.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked engine lubrication before flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

Related mishaps