# NTSB CEN22LA251: Trojan TA16, N36YR, Ray, MI, June 2, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 2, 2022, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Ray, MI - Coordinates: 42.740585, -82.889695 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7406&lon=-82.8897&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 105267 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA251 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105267/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105267 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA251 ## Probable cause A lack of lubrication and inadequate cooling, which resulted in internal damage to the engine and a subsequent total loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Eng oil sys (airframe furnish)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057900): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcdaniel James D TROJAN TA16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057900/cases.md?model=05635S9), [All aircraft, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057900/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern downwind: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Mcdaniel James D TROJAN TA16, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05635S9), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot, who was the builder of the experimental, amateur-built airplane, reported that shortly after takeoff the engine surged rapidly three times and then lost total power. The pilot turned the airplane back toward the airport to try to land on the runway. While maneuvering toward the airport, the pilot attempted to restore engine power, but was not successful. Unable make the runway, the pilot performed a forced landing to a rough field, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. A postaccident examination of the engine found that the bearings connecting the piston arms to the crankshaft were seized and displayed signatures consistent with a lack of oil lubrication and cooling. Reviewed data stored in the electronic flight instrument system did not provide indications of an impending oil system malfunction. The pilot stated that he purchased the engine as a “firewall forward” package and speculated that the engine could have benefitted from the installation of a secondary oil cooler. ## Factual narrative On June 2, 2022, about 1315 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Trojan TA16 airplane, N36YR, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Ray, Michigan. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot, who was the owner and builder of the airplane, stated that the preflight, engine run-up, and takeoff were all normal. During the departure climb, the engine surged rapidly three times and then stopped producing power. The pilot scanned the cockpit instruments and noted that the tachometer displayed 0 rpm. The pilot turned the airplane back toward the runway while attempting to restore engine power. Unable to restore engine power or reach the runway, the pilot performed a forced landing, during which the airplane collided with small trees, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. A postaccident examination of the engine found that the pistons in cylinders Nos. 1 through 5 were seized at the bearings connecting the piston arms to the crankshaft. Those bearings displayed signatures consistent with a lack of adequate oil lubrication and cooling. Reviewed data stored in the electronic flight instrument system did not provide indications of an impending oil system malfunction. The pilot reported that he purchased the engine as a “firewall forward” package. He speculated that the engine could have benefitted from additional oil cooling, such as a secondary oil cooler. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N36YR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N36YR), registered now, S/N 001, built 2017 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Trojan TA16 - Registry model: [Mcdaniel James D TROJAN TA16](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdaniel-james-d-trojan-ta16) (registry code 05635S9) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [GM LS1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/gm-ls1) (registry code 30901, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Year built: 2017 - Airframe hours: 86 - Engines: General Motors LS1 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 1, 2021, 55 hours before - Airport: 57D, Ray Community, runway 28, 2,495 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Data recorder, Onboard weather, Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,360 total, 86 in this make and model, 3,150 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: KMTC, 9 nm away - METAR: METAR KMTC 021656Z 34004KT 10SM FEW040 SCT050 BKN090 16/11 A2988 RMK AO2A SLP123 T01640113= ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20220602009299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220602009299A), Jun 2, 2022: Mcdaniel James D TROJAN TA16, Ray, MI, Substantial damage. During pattern work near Ray Community Airport, aircraft experienced engine failure, landed short of runway in terrain with brush and small trees. One person… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 20, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105267. 6.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 5.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16737553&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN22LA251%20NTSB%20Form%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot statement and additional information (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 172 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16737364&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statements%20%26%20Information-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 697 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16737382&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%202-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation owner builder (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16737655&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20Owner%20Builder-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.