ATL99LA005

While enroute to the staging area, the engine began running rough and lost power. The pilot selected a dirt road for an emergency landing. During the landing, the left wing collided with a fence, the right wing collided with a dirt embankment, and the airplane veered to the right. The examination of the airplane disclosed that, there were two holes in the engine crankcase above the number 2 piston position. The engine teardown inspection revealed that the number 2 piston skirt had broken into several pieces. The engine was last overhauled 1284 hours before the accident. The recommended time between overhauls is 1200 hours. The engine examination also revealed that the undamaged internal engine components displayed normal operational action when the engine was rotated externally.

On October 10, 1998, at 1010 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 188, N9890V, collided with the ground, during a forced landing near Patrick, South Carolina. The aerial application flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137 with no flight plan filed. Visual flight weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The commercial rated pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Patrick, South Carolina, at 0930.

The pilot reported that while enroute to the staging area at 2000 feet, the engine began running rough and quit. The pilot selected a dirt road for an emergency landing. During the landing, the left wing collided with a fence, the right wing collided with a dirt embankment and the airplane veered to the right.

The examination of the airplane disclosed that there were two four by five inch holes in the engine crankcase above the number 2 piston position. The engine tear down inspection revealed that the number 2 piston skirt had broken into several pieces. The engine examination also revealed that the undamaged internal engine components displayed normal operational action when the engine was rotated externally. There was no evidence of the lack of lubrication in the engine. There were no other abnormal malfunctions or failures noted on the other cylinders or on any engine components.

A review of the engine maintenance history disclosed that the engine was last overhauled 1284 hours before this accident. According to the manufacture, the recommended time between overhauls is 1200 hours. There was no specific history available for the fail piston.