Pilot Debrief

Flight Design GMBH CTLS near Willard, OH — 2010-12-09

Final reportCEN11LA102
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Date
2010-12-09
Location
Willard, OH, USA
Aircraft
Flight Design GMBH CTLS
Registration
N30LK
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to fatigue failure of a cylinder exhaust spring.

NTSB narrative

During cruise flight, the pilot heard a "snap or pop" sound and then felt an engine vibration before the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot performed an off-airport landing to a field. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the No. 3 cylinder exhaust spring had experienced fatigue failure due to a non-metallic inclusion that was present at the time the spring was fabricated. The size of the inclusion was above the metallographic wire rod inspection limit used by the wire manufacturer.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have performed an emergency landing after engine vibration began.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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