Incident Overview
An aircraft departed Rapid City, South Dakota, en route to Elko, Nevada. While in cruise flight in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) at an altitude of 12,000 feet, the engine lost all power. The aircraft was over mountainous terrain, and air traffic control issued the pilot vectors through a canyon. The aircraft broke out of the overcast at 8,000 feet MSL (approximately 1,500 feet AGL) and was 6 miles from the airport. The pilot elected to stretch the glide and attempt a landing at the airport instead of landing in nearby open areas. The aircraft subsequently struck an unoccupied warehouse and crashed in an empty salvage yard across the street in downtown Ogden, Utah.
Engine Examination
Disassembly of the engine revealed a catastrophic failure of the #1 connecting rod due to fatigue. The fatigue had originated in an area of surface decarburization and scale inclusions. Teledyne-Continental's Service Bulletin M86-11 had not been accomplished.