Engine failure leads to emergency forced landing in Ottawa corn field

Casualties unknown • Ottawa, Ontario, CA

An engine failure caused by oil starvation forced a Diamond DA 20-A1 to land in a field near Ottawa, resulting in substantial aircraft damage but no injuries.

What happened

During a flight training session departing from Ottawa / Macdonald-Carter International Airport, a Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 20-A1, registration C-GOAS, experienced a sudden engine failure. While climbing through 1,600 feet, the flight instructor noticed rising oil temperatures and smoke entering the cockpit. The engine subsequently sputtered and ceased operation.

The instructor took control of the aircraft and declared an emergency, notifying air traffic control of the engine failure and the intention to perform a forced landing. The aircraft landed in a corn field south of Highway 417, near Moodie Drive. While the two pilots escaped the incident uninjured, the aircraft sustained significant damage to the landing gear and the spar bridge.

The investigation

The investigation focused on the Rotax 912F3 engine, which had exceeded its recommended overhaul interval of 1,200 hours. Examination of the engine at the TSB Engineering Laboratory revealed several mechanical issues, including a hole in the crankcase, loose ignition cables, and chafed wiring. Internal inspection showed heavy metallic debris and lead paste buildup on the pistons, which had caused some rings to seize.

Engineers identified that the No. 1 piston had suffered progressive fatigue cracking. This was attributed to the lack of chamfering on the oil return holes, which created high-stress points. Additionally, the propeller gearbox showed signs of wear and insufficient spring pre-tension, while the propeller itself was found to be improperly balanced, utilizing unauthorized weights and washers that deviated from manufacturer instructions.

Findings

  • The primary cause of the engine failure was oil starvation.
  • The failure was triggered by the fatigue failure of the No. 1 piston, which released debris that blocked the oil return path to the tank.
  • An unbalanced propeller created vibrations that accelerated the fatigue cracking in the piston.
  • The operator's delay in receiving and acting upon oil analysis results allowed the engine to continue operating in a degraded state.
  • Maintenance discrepancies, such as improper propeller balancing and unsecure alternator bolts, contributed to the overall engine instability.

Probable cause

The engine failed due to oil starvation caused by piston debris blocking the oil return flow. This was driven by progressive fatigue cracking in the piston, which was exacerbated by vibrations from an improperly balanced propeller and the failure to timely review oil analysis reports.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2000-10-03 Diamond DA 20-A1 C-GOAS accident near Ottawa, Ontario, CA?

An engine failure caused by oil starvation forced a Diamond DA 20-A1 to land in a field near Ottawa, resulting in substantial aircraft damage but no injuries.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2000-10-03 involved a Diamond DA 20-A1 C-GOAS, operated by Ottawa Aviation Services, at Ottawa, Ontario, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The engine failed due to oil starvation caused by piston debris blocking the oil return flow. This was driven by progressive fatigue cracking in the piston, which was exacerbated by vibrations from an improperly balanced propeller and the failure to timely review oil analysis reports.

Loading the flight search…