Incident Overview
A private pilot with 200 hours of flight experience encountered a complete loss of engine power while in cruise flight at an altitude of 3,000 feet. The engine failure was traced to the crankshaft gear retaining bolt, which had backed out, leading to the disengagement of the crankshaft.
Engine Overhaul Context
The engine had recently undergone an overhaul. However, the manufacturer's service instructions were not complied with during the overhaul process. This non-compliance was noted in the investigation.
Forced Landing Attempt
Following the loss of engine power, the pilot attempted to execute a forced landing. Suitable terrain was not available to the pilot to perform a successful forced landing.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the engine failure was the direct result of the crankshaft gear retaining bolt backing out, which caused the crankshaft to disengage. The failure occurred despite the recent engine overhaul, during which the manufacturer's prescribed procedures were not followed.