Accident Narrative
The pilot reported hearing a grinding noise in the engine, followed by a propeller overspeed. Shortly thereafter, the engine lost all power. Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) provided radar vectors to the nearest airport. The pilot set up for a dead-stick approach but was unable to reach the runway. The aircraft touched down with the landing gear retracted in a ditch, bounced out of the ditch and onto a parking lot, then collided with a parked aircraft.
Aircraft and Engine Examination
Disassembly of the engine revealed fretting on the parting surfaces of the number 1 main bearing saddle. The crankshaft was found fatigue fractured across the number 1 crankpin at the interface with the number 2 long cheek. One connecting rod end cap nut was found without a cotter pin installed. The second rod end cap nut was found with a shorter-than-normal cotter pin installed. The number 1 connecting rod bearing was partially swaged out of the rod, with fretting observed on the bearing surfaces. The side faces of connecting rod number 1 were scored.
Maintenance History
Engine records indicated that cylinders number 1 and 4 were replaced on May 9, 1994, approximately 29 hours prior to the accident.