Incident Overview
During climb through 3,300 feet mean sea level, the engine lost power. The pilot executed an emergency landing on a road. During the landing, the airplane struck a power line, then collided with the ground in an inverted position.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the airframe revealed the underside of the fuselage and empennage were heavily coated with and streaming engine oil. The engine was examined and found to have the number 1 connecting rod detached. The number 2 and 3 connecting rods exhibited heat discoloration and lack of lubrication. Bearing material was extruded, the connecting rods were separated, and both were found in multiple pieces. The number 4 connecting rod remained attached, and its bearing showed early signs of heat discoloration and lack of lubrication. The connecting rod separations exhibited overload signatures, with no signs of fatigue.
Maintenance History
Maintenance records indicate an annual inspection was completed on December 14, 2001, at an engine time of 595 hours since major overhaul. The engine had accumulated 70 hours since that inspection. Additionally, the engine received a propeller strike inspection on February 8, 2000, and was disassembled, repaired, and reassembled. However, the engine time at the time of the propeller strike repairs was not recorded in the maintenance log.