Night Cross-Country Flight Ends in Forced Landing After Engine Failure (N776P)

Incident Overview and Initial Flight Phase The pilot confirmed 11 quarts of oil in the engine during preflight. The aircraft departed on a night cross-country flight and climbed to a cruising altitude of 4,500 feet. Fifteen minutes after takeoff, the engine lost power. ## In-Flight Emergencies and Engine Damage After the pilot initiated a turn to return to the departure airport, an explosion occurred in the engine compartment. As the aircraft approached water, the pilot elected not to shut the engine down. A second explosion was followed by a loss of oil pressure. After a third explosion and fire erupting from the engine compartment, the pilot secured the engine and shut the fuel off. ## Forced Landing and Post-Accident Findings During the forced landing, the left wing of the airplane struck a tree short of the runway, and the aircraft came to rest in a field. Examination of the engine revealed that an exhaust valve had broken free and created a hole in the piston. The engine was found absent of oil. Two connecting rods failed at the crankshaft journals from a lack of lubrication.