LAX91LA048

Factual narrative

WHILE FLYING A 9,500 FT MSL THE PILOT, ALSO THE REGISTERED OWNER, OBSERVED AN INCREASE IN OIL TEMPERATURE FOLLOWED BY A DECREASE IN OIL PRESSURE. MOMENTS LATER OIL SMOKE EMANATED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOLLOWED BY A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE SUN BLINDED THE PILOT WHILE ON APPROACH TO A DIRT STRIP AND WHEN HE WAS ABLE TO SEE THE DIRT STRIP THE AIRPLANE'S ALTITUDE WAS INSUFFICIENT TO NEGOTIATE A LANDING ON THE STRIP. THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND IN AN ADJACENT OPEN AREA. DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING STRUCK A BARN. ENGINE EXAM DSCLSD THE NO. 3 CONNECTING ROD FAILED AND ITS ASSOCIATED BEARING EXHIBITED EXTREME HIGH TEMP DISTRESS. DURING THE LAST ANNUAL INSP THE OIL ANALYSIS SHOWED HIGH CONCERTRATION OF IRON AND STEEL. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12