Incident Details
During a cross-country flight, a seal on the turbocharger failed, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure and smoke entering the cockpit. The pilot performed an emergency landing at the nearest airport. After landing, 8 quarts of oil were added to the engine. A mechanic capped the oil lines to the turbocharger and wired the turbocharger waste gate open. Subsequently, the pilot decided to fly the aircraft to another airport for permanent repairs.
While on approach to the destination airport, the engine suffered a catastrophic failure, with a connecting rod penetrating the engine casing. The pilot executed an emergency landing on a dirt road located on a military reservation. The aircraft sustained no further damage during this landing.
Investigation Findings
According to the engine specification data, the engine had a total oil capacity of 8 quarts, with a minimum safe quantity of 2 quarts in the sump. An examination of the engine revealed heat distress in the area where the failure occurred.