Flight and Incident
A pilot departed from Flagler County Airport after securing the engine earlier that morning and returning to the departure airport. The pilot did not perform a preflight inspection of the airplane. After starting the engine, he taxied to and departed from runway 29. During the initial climb at approximately 1,500 feet, smoke was observed coming from the engine compartment, and the engine experienced a partial loss of power. The pilot turned to return to the airport, but the engine seized. He executed a forced landing on a dirt road. During the landing roll, the airplane ran off the road and collided with a tree.
Post-Accident Examination
An FAA airworthiness inspector conducted a post-accident examination of the engine. The examination revealed an oil film inside the engine cowling and on the right side of the fuselage from the engine cowling to midspan of the right wing. Additionally, damage to one of the cylinders was noted.
Vacuum Pump Installation
The engine-driven vacuum pump was found to have been installed incorrectly. The installation used incorrect gasket material, specifically baffle gasket material. The nuts that hold and seal the vacuum pump were not torqued to proper specifications or were missing altogether. Oil was present on the rubber gaskets. The owner/pilot admitted to having worked alongside an IA (Inspector Authorization) holder to install the engine-driven vacuum pump. The owner/pilot stated that after finishing the installation, he asked the IA if it had been installed correctly because the pump was protruding more than he was accustomed to. The IA reported having supervised the owner/pilot, who performed the work, then checked the work and signed it off. The engine had accumulated only 8 hours since overhaul and was within a month of being overhauled at the time of the accident.