What happened
The pilot reported that while conducting cruise flight over terrain unsuitable for emergency landing, the aircraft engine suddenly lost power. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot executed a forced landing into a heavily wooded area.
The investigation
Following the accident, investigators performed a teardown of the engine to determine the cause of the power loss. The examination revealed a failure within the engine's geartrain mechanism. Maintenance records indicated that the engine had accumulated approximately 2,400 hours since its last overhaul.
Findings
Lycoming service data specifies a recommended time between overhauls of 2,000 hours for this particular engine model. The engine in question had exceeded this recommended interval by roughly 400 hours at the time of the incident. Engine geartrain failure occurred after the component surpassed its suggested operational lifespan.
Safety message
Adherence to manufacturer-recommended overhaul intervals is critical for maintaining engine reliability and preventing in-flight power loss.