Incident Overview
An aircraft experienced a total mechanical-induced engine failure in flight. The pilot elected to land on a privately owned, unimproved airstrip. During the approach, the pilot improperly planned the descent and misjudged the aircraft's altitude. This resulted in a landing that was too long, causing the aircraft to overshoot the runway's end and collide with a ditch.
Investigation Findings
The investigation uncovered that neither the aircraft nor its engine had received an annual inspection within the preceding five years. The engine failure was attributed to a fractured oil pump drive gear, which led to oil starvation. Examination of the fractured surfaces revealed fatigue characteristics, indicating the gear had been weakened over time. The pilot's decision to land on the unimproved airstrip and the subsequent approach errors were also documented.
Damage and Impact
The aircraft sustained damage from the collision with the ditch. The extent of damage to the airframe or other components is not specified in the report.
Conclusion
The incident resulted from a combination of mechanical failure (engine oil pump drive gear fatigue fracture) and pilot action (improper planning and misjudgment of altitude). No formal probable cause was stated by the investigation source.