What happened
The incident occurred while the aircraft was engaged in aerial application duties. During this phase of operation, the engine abruptly ceased functioning. The pilot was unable to continue the mission due to the sudden loss of power.
The investigation
Following the event, a detailed teardown of the engine was conducted to determine the root cause of the failure. Examination of the internal components revealed significant mechanical damage. Specifically, the number two connecting rod had fractured. The force of the breakage caused the component to penetrate and exit through the top of the crankcase.
Findings
Review of the maintenance records indicated that the engine had accumulated a total time of 2174 hours since its last overhaul. This duration significantly exceeded the manufacturer's recommended overhaul interval, which is set at 1200 hours. The failure was directly linked to the engine operating beyond its serviceable life.
Safety message
Adherence to recommended overhaul times is critical for engine reliability. Operating an engine well past its designated maintenance intervals increases the risk of catastrophic mechanical failure.