Accident Overview
While climbing after takeoff, the engine lost power. The pilot executed a forced landing in a field, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage.
Engine Examination
Following the accident, an examination of the engine disclosed a fractured crankshaft. The engine, including the original crankshaft, had accumulated 1,080 hours of service time at the moment of failure. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the crankshaft was not subject to any Airworthiness Directive. Maintenance logbooks contained no evidence of a sudden stoppage during the engine's service life.
Crankshaft Analysis
Detailed inspection of the crankshaft identified a fatigue failure consistent with friction heating fatigue. No other contributing factors were noted in the investigation.