Primary finding
Probable cause
The failure of the no. 3 cylinder connecting rod.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was returning to the departure airport after a 2 1/2 hour flight. Several miles from the airport, the engine began to run rough, followed by complete loss of power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a private sod strip. On final, after the aircraft cleared trees, the pilot was not able to arrest the descent rate, and the landing gear collapsed during touchdown. The engine was a Kinner R-56 manufactured in 1946, and had accumulated about 120 hours since overhaul. Examination of the engine revealed that the number three cylinder connecting rod failed at the knuckle pin.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 21, 1995, at 1800 eastern daylight time, a Ryan ST3- KR, N47082, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to the Whittle Airport, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, for the personal flight that departed the New Garden Airport, Toughkenamon, Pennsylvania, about 1630. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that he was returning to the departure airport after a 2 1/2 hour local flight. He further stated that while still several miles from the New Garden Airport, the "engine began to run rough and almost immediately seized." The pilot stated he attempted a forced landing to a private sod strip; however, after clearing trees at the end of the runway, he could not arrest the rate of descent, and the landing gear collapsed during touchdown. The pilot stated that the engine was a Kinner R-56, manufactured in 1946. The engine had accumulated about 120 hours since overhaul. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, examination of the engine revealed that the number three cylinder rod failed at the knuckle pin. -