CEN24LA120

The non-certificated pilot’s decision to operate an unairworthy engine, which led to cylinder failure and a loss of engine power.

The owner, who was flying the airplane at the time of the accident, purchased the airplane about three months before the accident; the accident flight was the airplane’s first flight after the purchase. The airplane’s engine lost all power shortly after takeoff, and the airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post-impact fire. The non-certificated pilot was seriously injured; he did not provide a report of the accident; however, a postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the engine’s No. 2 cylinder had seized. A teardown examination of the engine revealed corrosion on the cylinder walls and the internal components of the No. 2 cylinder. No other preimpact anomalies were noted. Review of maintenance records showed that the airplane had not received an annual condition inspection for over 7 years. Additionally, other than maintenance performed on the propeller reduction gearbox and engine controls, no maintenance was recorded for the remainder of the engine. There were no entries indicating compliance with the manufacturer’s recommended procedures for engine preservation during periods of inactivity. At the time of the accident, the owner did not have a pilot certificate. He previously held a student pilot certificate, but it was revoked by the FAA in 1975. Based on the condition of the engine’s interior, the engine had likely not been properly prepared for long-term storage, which allowed corrosion to develop on the No. 2 cylinder components. The loss of engine power was related to the non-certificated pilot’s decision to operate the engine despite the lack of maintenance, which resulted in a seizure during operation due to corrosion.

On February 25, 2024, about 1645 central standard time, a Pulsar 1 airplane, N72BH, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Patterson, Louisiana. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The owner, who was flying the airplane at the time of the accident, did not provide a report of the accident. Airplane registration documents indicated that the amateur-built airplane was purchased by the owner on November 22, 2023. According to the owner, the accident flight was the airplane’s first flight after the purchase. Shortly after takeoff, the airplane’s engine lost all power, and the owner attempted to land the airplane in an open area on airport property. During the attempted landing, the airplane struck a fence and impacted the ground. A postimpact fire ensued and destroyed the airplane. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuselage cabin section and inboard wings were almost completely destroyed by the postimpact fire. The examination confirmed flight control system continuity to the extent possible. The airplane was powered by a Rotax model 582 2-stroke engine. A partial teardown examination revealed internal corrosion on the No. 2 cylinder wall and on the No.2 connecting rod. There was evidence that the No. 2 piston had seized within its cylinder. No other preimpact anomalies were noted. According to engine maintenance records, the engine had undergone an overhaul on October 21, 2014, and was installed on the accident airplane on August 22, 2015. There was an entry for a condition inspection on November 6, 2016, and no further entries until January 15, 2024, which indicated that the propeller reduction gearbox was removed and sent to a Rotax mechanic for overhaul and modification of the gear reduction ratio. Another entry dated January 17, 2024, indicated that the engine control cables were replaced. The airframe maintenance records were reviewed, and the most recent entry, dated November 6, 2016, indicated that a condition inspection was performed on that date. The engine operating manual details procedures for preserving the engine for various periods of inactivity. However, no maintenance entries were found indicating that the storage procedures had been completed. At the time of the accident, the owner did not hold a pilot certificate. He previously held a student pilot certificate, but it was revoked by the FAA in 1975.