Accident Description
During climb, approximately 10 minutes after takeoff, the private pilot detected a strong vibration in the engine. A few seconds later, the engine abruptly stopped. The pilot executed a forced landing onto rolling terrain that was surrounded by obstructions. During the landing, the airplane struck a fence post, hit a ditch, and flipped over.
Engine Examination
An examination of the engine revealed that the crankshaft had fractured. The fracture was the result of fatigue cracking that initiated at the surface of the aft radius of the no. 2 main bearing journal. Heavy rubbing damage in the aft radius indicated that the bearing shifted aft and scored the radius, leading to fatigue initiation at the surface. Additionally, a visual inspection of the crankcase mating surfaces revealed fretting, indicating that there was relative motion between the two crankcase halves. No evidence of heat distress or lack of lubrication was found. The engine, a Continental TSIO-520, had received a 'top' overhaul approximately 45 operating hours before the accident.