CEN15LA346

The pilot reported that he was conducting a cross-country flight in a single-engine airplane when the engine lost oil pressure. Shortly after, the engine lost power and seized. The pilot then made a forced landing on a beach. Examination of the engine revealed that the No. 1 connecting rod bearing had failed and that the camshaft had seized and was broken. The camshaft seizure was consistent with a loss of oil pressure due to the No. 1 connecting rod bearing failure.

On July 18, 2015, about 1910 eastern daylight time, an Ercoupe 415 airplane, Canadian registration C-FGGS, lost engine power during cruise flight near Saint Martin Island, Michigan. The airline transport rated pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged during the forced landing. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a cross-country flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The airplane departed Newberry, Michigan, at 1800, and was destined for Manitowoc, Wisconsin. According to the pilot, while in cruise flight, the engine lost oil pressure. Shortly after losing oil pressure, the engine lost power and seized. The pilot then selected a beach for the forced landing. During the landing, the nose gear collapsed, and the left wing and fuselage were substantially damaged. The wreckage was recovered for further examination. An engine maintenance facility examined the engine and reported that the number one connecting rod bearing had failed and the camshaft was broken. The facility added that the camshaft seizure was consistent with a loss of oil pressure due to the number one connecting rod bearing failure.