Pilot Debrief

Europa XS near Winters, CA — 2019-04-13

Final reportWPR19LA108
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Date
2019-04-13
Location
Winters, CA, USA
Aircraft
Europa XS
Registration
N120EJ
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to properly install a wrist pin circlip, which resulted in internal damage to the No. 5 cylinder and a subsequent total loss of engine power.

NTSB narrative

During a local flight, the pilot, who was also the builder of the airplane, heard a noise accompanied by a sudden vibration and partial loss of engine power. He noted that the No. 5 cylinder exhaust gas temperature was abnormally low. He recycled the throttle, but the vibration persisted, and the engine lost total power. The pilot performed a forced landing into a field, during which the airplane nosed over and was substantially damaged. The pilot had removed cylinder Nos. 3 and 5 from the airplane to install new piston rings several months (4 flight hours) before the accident. Postaccident examination revealed internal catastrophic damage to the No. 5 cylinder and engine case, consistent with a No. 5 cylinder wrist pin circlip being improperly installed.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Proper installation of wrist pin snap rings could have prevented engine failure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents9

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