CEN18LA040

The student pilot stated that the preflight, engine run-up, and takeoff were normal with no anomalies noted. About 15 minutes into the solo cross-country flight, the engine lost total power, and he performed a forced landing to a tree-covered area. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted a power line and trees. Examination of the airplane revealed oil residue on the back of the engine, lower engine cowling, and the right main landing gear strut. The top mounting nut on the generator was missing, and the two lower mounting nuts were loose. Evidence of oil leakage past the generator mounting gasket was identified after removal of the generator from the engine. A hole in the engine crankcase was noted above the No. 1 cylinder. In addition, examination of the engine run-up and taxiway area, consistent with where the student pilot completed his engine run before the flight, showed a large oil stain and residual oil. The aircraft records did not reveal any recent maintenance to the generator or engine accessories; however, it is likely that when the generator was installed, the nuts were not properly tightened, leading them to back off over time, which led to the loss of oil.

On November 26, 2017, at 0915 central standard time, a Cessna 150F airplane, N8637S, impacted terrain during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power near Midland, Texas. The student pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to Skycops, LLC, Midland, Texas, and operated by a private individual. The instructional flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan had been filed for the solo cross-country flight. The flight departed the Midland Airpark (MDD), Midland, Texas, about 0900, and was destined for San Angelo, Texas. The student pilot stated the airplane preflight, engine run-up, and takeoff were normal with no anomalies noted. About 15 minutes into the solo cross-country flight, the engine lost total power, and the student pilot performed a forced landing to a mesquite tree covered area. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted a power line and mesquite trees. The airframe and engine were examined by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors at the accident site, and after the airplane was recovered. Examination of the airplane revealed oil residue on the back of the engine, lower engine cowling, and the right main landing gear strut. The top mounting nut on the generator was missing, and the two lower mounting nuts were loose. Evidence of oil leakage past the generator mounting gasket was identified after removal of the generator from the engine. A hole in the engine crankcase was noted above the No. 1 cylinder. On the day of the accident, the FAA inspector examined the engine run-up and taxiway area at MDD, consistent with where the student pilot completed his engine run prior to the flight. The engine run-up area contained a large oil stain and residual oil. A review of the engine logbook revealed the most recent 100-hr inspection was completed on February 19, 2017, at an aircraft tachometer time of 4,204.8 hours. At the time of the accident, the tachometer indicated 4,282.3 hours. According to the student pilot, an engine oil change had been completed about 10 hours before the accident. No entry for the oil change was found in the engine records.