What happened
On 17 January 2015, a Cessna U206C Super Skywagon, registration G-BPGE, was conducting a private parachute drop operation at Strathallen Airfield. After taking off from the grass runway, the pilot climbed to 2,000 ft to release a wind drift indicator. While continuing the climb to 3,000 ft, the aircraft suffered a sudden loss of engine power accompanied by intense vibrations. Oil began to spray onto the windscreen, though the pilot maintained enough visibility to plan a glide approach.
To ensure the safety of the five passengers, the pilot instructed them to remain inside the aircraft due to the low altitude. The aircraft touched down on Runway 208 approximately halfway down the strip. Fearing that the damp surface would prevent a timely stop, the pilot steered the aircraft onto a strip of longer grass adjacent to the runway to increase deceleration. However, the aircraft overran the end of the runway, breaching a fence and a hedge before coming to a halt. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passengers.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's engine to determine the cause of the power loss. The inspection focused on the internal components of the Continental Motors Corp IO-520-F piston engine. The examination of the engine revealed that the number five and six piston connecting rods had suffered mechanical failure. This failure was severe enough to create holes in both the upper and lower sections of the crankcase, which subsequently allowed engine oil to escape and coat the windscreen.