Incident Summary
An aircraft was cruising at 9,500 feet above mean sea level when its engine began running roughly. The pilot opted to divert to Rialto Municipal Airport for a precautionary landing. During the base leg of the approach, the engine failed completely. From that position, the pilot was unable to reach the runway. The aircraft touched down approximately one-quarter mile short of the runway. During the landing roll, it collided with a ditch.
Investigation Findings
An investigation into the incident revealed that the engine crankshaft had failed due to fatigue. It was noted that the aircraft had previously been involved in a gear-up landing. Additionally, no record was found to verify that an inspection of the crankshaft had been conducted in accordance with accepted practices following a propeller strike.
Background
The aircraft's history included a prior gear-up landing. The lack of documentation regarding a crankshaft inspection after a propeller strike was identified during the investigation. The incident sequence began with engine roughness and culminated in an off-airport landing after complete power loss.