Accident Sequence
Shortly after takeoff, the airplane was observed trailing smoke. The smoke and engine noise ceased, then resumed as the airplane leveled off and began a left 180-degree turn. The smoke and engine noise stopped again. The airplane then descended and impacted a parking lot in a left-wing-down attitude. It bounced through a snow bank and down a 15-foot embankment onto a field, rolled upside down, and caught fire.
Pilot Information
The pilot/owner and a flight instructor were on board. The pilot/owner sustained injuries that precluded recollection of the flight. No details about preflight, start, runup, or takeoff were witnessed. The pilot/owner was not known to preheat the engine.
Environmental Conditions
The outside air temperature was 23 degrees Fahrenheit. The airplane was stored in an unheated hangar.
Engine Examination
A large hole was found in the top of the engine crankcase, aligned with a dislodged number 4 connecting rod. Another hole in the bottom of the crankcase was aligned with a dislodged number 5 connecting rod. The number 1 connecting rod bearing and journal exhibited light distress scoring in line with the oil supply hole. The number 2 connecting rod bearing and journal appeared normal except for fire and heat damage to the bearing. The number 3, 4, 5, and 6 connecting rod journals showed heavy distress scoring with extruded bearings. The engine had accumulated over 919 hours of operation and was built more than 15 years earlier. The recommended time between overhauls was 2,000 hours or 12 years, whichever came first; the engine had not undergone an overhaul.
Maintenance History
The engine had not been overhauled despite exceeding the recommended calendar time of 12 years.