# NTSB IAD05LA033: Ghiles MCR-01 VLA, N3085Q, Cincinnati, OH, January 17, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 17, 2005, 12:54 local (17:54 UTC) - Place: Cincinnati, OH - Coordinates: 39.208332, -84.454719 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2083&lon=-84.4547&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 60867 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD05LA033 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60867/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05LA033 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to an oil hose collapse, which resulted in failure of the #4 connecting rod. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal - lubricating system,oil hose - collapsed (cause) - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - utility pole ## Analysis During the cruise portion of the flight, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot was unable to restart the engine, and performed a forced landing to a roadway. During the landing, the left wing struck a utility pole. A post accident examination of the un-certificated engine revealed that it contained oil, and no leaks could be located in the lubrication system. The crankshaft could not be rotated by hand via the propeller. Further examination revealed that the #4 rod had separated from the crankshaft, and the #4 piston was jammed into the cylinder head. The oil pump was undamaged and did not indicate any type of failure mode. However, an oil hose was found to be kinked and exhibiting distance collapse of its shape. The engine manufacturer's operating manual stated in part, "Warning: Never fly the aircraft equipped with this engine at locations, airspeeds, altitudes, or other circumstances from which a successful no-power landing cannot be made after sudden engine stoppage." The manual further stated, "You should be aware that any engine may seize or stall at any time. This could lead to a crash landing and possible severe injury or death." ## Factual narrative On January 17, 2005, about 1254 eastern standard time, an amateur built Ghiles MCR-01 VLA, N3085Q, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power while in cruise flight, near Cincinnati, Ohio. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed the Cincinnati Municipal Airport-Lunken Field (LUK), Cincinnati, Ohio; destined for the Butler County Regional Airport (HAO), Hamilton, Ohio. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, the airplane was in cruise flight when he smelled a "hot" smell. Approximately 10 seconds later, the engine lost all power. The pilot was not able to restart the engine, and performed a forced landing to a roadway. During the landing, the airplane's left wing struck a utility pole and separated from the fuselage. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, an examination of the airplane revealed that it was equipped with an un-certificated Rotax 912 ULS engine. Further examination discovered that fuel was present in the fuel system, and the engine contained oil. No leaks could be located in either the firewall mounted oil tank, or the plumbing for the lubrication system; however, when the inspector attempted to rotate the propeller by hand, the crankshaft would not rotate. On April 7, 2004, at the facilities of Lockwood Aviation Inc. Sanford, Florida, the engine removed from the airplane was examined under the supervision of an FAA inspector. During the examination it was revealed that both carburetor choke systems were seized, and both the left and right carburetor throats showed evidence of oil residue and hardened deposits. The engine components, including the sprag clutch were dry, and almost devoid of lubrication. The lower rod bearings had failed, along with the #2 and #4 rod. The #4 rod was separated from the crankshaft, and the #4 piston was jammed into the cylinder head. The oil pump was undamaged, and did not indicate any type of failure mode. However, after the fire sleeve covering the oil feed line was cut-away, it was discovered that the hose was kinked and exhibited distance collapse of its shape. A review of the airplane's maintenance records showed that the last maintenance action had occurred on December 26, 2004, and had involved the replacement of a throttle cable, and re-synchronizing of the carburetors. The last work performed on the lubrication system occurred on April 27, 2004, and involved an oil and filter change as well as a re-installation of the oil sending unit. Review of the operator manual for the un-certificated Rotax aircraft engine revealed, "Warning: Never fly the aircraft equipped with this engine at locations, airspeeds, altitudes, or other circumstances from which a successful no-power landing cannot be made after sudden engine stoppage." The manual further stated, "You should be aware that any engine may seize or stall at any time. This could lead to a crash landing and possible severe injury or death." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3085Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3085Q-2005-11-01), registration cancelled 2005-11-01, S/N AGA4-181-20-MA0173, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Ghiles MCR-01 VLA - Registry model: [Ghiles Philippe/American G A MCR-01 VLA](https://openairdocs.org/model/ghiles-philippe-american-g-a-mcr-01-vla) (registry code 05607VA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: AGA4-181-20-MA0173 - Airframe hours: 275 - Engines: Rotax 912 ULS FR 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 23, 2004, 270 hours before - Departed: LUK, Cincinnati, OH - Destination: HAO, Hamilton, OH - Airport: LUK, Cincinnati Municipal Airport, runway 21R, 3,802 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 4, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 140 total, 22 in this make and model, 99 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 5 °F - Altimeter: 30.70 inHg - Observed at: LUK, 7 nm away ## 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 20050117027269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050117027269A), Jan 17, 2005: Amtr MCR01VLA, Roselawn, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) On January 17, 2005, at 1254 EST, a ghiles MCR-01 vla, experimental amateur-built aircraft, N3085Q, registered to the pilot [privacy data omitted] made… 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.