Engine failure leads to power loss in modified aircraft

No fatalities • 17 km S of Bundaberg, Queensland

An aircraft experienced a total loss of engine power during its climb following a mechanical failure in one of its cylinders.

What happened

During the climb phase of flight, the aircraft experienced a sudden and complete loss of engine power. The failure originated within the fifth cylinder, which resulted in the destruction of the piston and subsequent engine shutdown.

The investigation

Investigators examined the engine to determine the precise origin of the malfunction. The engine in question had undergone extensive modifications, and the impact of these changes on the unit's overall reliability had not been previously established. However, the damage sustained by the engine following the failure in cylinder five was so significant that the specific trigger for the initial malfunction could not be identified.

Probable cause

A failure within cylinder five caused the destruction of the piston and a total loss of engine power, though the specific cause of the cylinder failure remains undetermined due to the extent of the resulting damage.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2017-06-18 Jabiru Aircraft Pty Ltd J430 accident near 17 km S of Bundaberg, Queensland?

An aircraft experienced a total loss of engine power during its climb following a mechanical failure in one of its cylinders.

Were there any fatalities in the 2017-06-18 Jabiru Aircraft Pty Ltd J430 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2017-06-18 involved a Jabiru Aircraft Pty Ltd J430, registration VH-OFR, at 17 km S of Bundaberg, Queensland.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

A failure within cylinder five caused the destruction of the piston and a total loss of engine power, though the specific cause of the cylinder failure remains undetermined due to the extent of the resulting damage.

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