Engine failure in cruise

17 Nov 2005 Engine failure in cruise

Update 20210918: I didn’t install the Eggenfellner Subaru engine, so any post that references that can be ignored or used as a cautionary tale about how to avoid wasting many years and $50k.

Here’s another story that illustrates why I wanted to have a better engine than the standard Lycoming. There is no doubt that any engine can fail, and that any engine can be built to not fail. It’s just that the failure modes of the Subaru are things I understand and feel that I can control, whereas many of the Lycoming type failures are things that are beyond my control. Here is the story:

http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showpost.php?p=22670

Merry Christmas Like No Other

Christmas day this past year VFR flight from OKC to Austin level at 8500ft. TruTrak engaged bored to death and playing with the 430 and some of it’s neat functions and BAM!!!! Sounded like a shotgun went off in my headset the plane went to shaking violently.

First look at AF2500 indicates all normal, temps good, pressure good. First thought was lost part of a blade. Seconds later the little lady in my ear told me I had an engine problem instead. Oil pressure dropped to zero instantly.

From playing with 430 seconds earlier I knew Bridgeport, TX airport was at my three o clock and about 4 miles. Immediate right turn and a quick call to Ft. Worth center who I was already with on Flight Following to let them know I was diverting and the nature of my problem.

Did all the usual things to try and will that motor to stop shaking and to start making power again but to no avail I was committed to a dead stick landing. Made to Bridgeport with altitude to spare and an uneventful landing with enough rollout speed to make the ramp parking area. After sitting and gathering my composure for a bit I exited the airplane to find lots and lots of oil down the side of the plane.

Upon walking around to the front I discovered the #2 cylinder had been ejected from the case and was pushed out flush with the two cowling halfs. Piano hinges had uncurled and the cylinder head was poking its head out saying hello look at me. Needless to say lots of oil everywhere but most importantly not over the windshield…… and no FIRE.

Turns out the engine which had 200 hours on it since major by a shop in Florida had ejected the jug due to the rod cap nuts backing off completely and allowing the crank to push the cylinder to the top of the jug and shearing all the studs on the case. Interesting note is that the rod cap was found intact with both bolts still in it not striped or fractured laying in the bottom of the cowling when I removed it. The crank threw it out of the case between the gap of the skirt of the jug and the case, which was a very large gap.

I have pics of the jug sticking out of the cowling but they are too big to post here. I hope no one ever has to go through an ordeal like this one. All in all it was the best Christmas ever considering everything else that could have happened.