Incident Overview
On 27 August 2016, a Cessna 152 departed on a training flight from EPLR to EPML. The pilot, holding a valid SEP(L) rating and Class 2 medical, planned the cross-country at an altitude of 2800 ft AMSL under VFR in VMC conditions during the afternoon.
Flight and Engine Failure
Approximately 20 minutes into the flight, near the town of Kraśnik, the pilot observed a substantial loss of engine power accompanied by vibrations. Simultaneously, the oil temperature gauge indicated a sudden rise beyond the maximum allowable limit. The pilot notified FIS Warszawa of the engine problem.
Precautionary Landing
Deciding to perform a precautionary landing, the pilot selected an unprepared field. The landing was successful: the airframe sustained no damage, and the sole occupant—the pilot—was uninjured. Meteorological conditions were not a factor in the event.
Probable Cause
The investigation identified the likely cause of the engine failure: the loosening of the connecting rod foot nut, which led to the shearing of a second bolt. This resulted in the disconnection of the connecting rod from the crankshaft at the crank of the third cylinder, ultimately locking the crankshaft-connecting rod-cylinder assembly.