What happened
During a cross-country flight originating from Santa Fe, the pilot experienced repeated instances of a rough-running engine accompanied by high engine and oil temperatures. These symptoms led to an initial precautionary landing, where the pilot requested repairs from a mechanic.
After the attempted repair, the pilot took off to continue the planned flight. However, the engine began running roughly once again, prompting a second precautionary landing. Upon inspection of the aircraft, the pilot added five quarts of oil to the engine. During the subsequent takeoff roll, the engine again exhibited rough operation. The aircraft failed to stop on the 2,000 ft dirt runway, overrunning the end of the strip and colliding with terrain.
The investigation
An examination of the engine revealed that there were broken rings in two pistons. Additionally, investigators found that all other piston rings had lost their temper. The density altitude at the time of the event was estimated to be 6,700 feet.