SEA08LA162

The flight instructor and student pilot were departing on a local instructional flight. During the initial climb, the engine lost power and the airplane impacted trees short of the runway. Post accident examination showed that the lower rod bearing had failed due to corrosion. The failed bearing then impacted the crankcase causing a crack, and subsequent loss of compression. The manufacturer's records indicate that the engine was manufactured in 1994 and sold to the original owner in 1995. The pilot had purchased the engine less than a year prior to the accident and it was sold as "rebuilt," with the work purported to have been accomplished in 2007. However, there was no supporting documentation available. The engine manufacturers representative indicated that the engine was not maintained/serviced in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines, which in part call for the replacement of the crankshaft every 5 years. There was no evidence that the crankshaft had been replaced since the date of engine manufacture.

On July 18, 2008, at 1016 Eastern daylight time, an experimental light sport airplane (E-LSA) Sport Flight Talon XP, N1856P, lost engine power during takeoff from the Inverness Airport, Inverness, Florida. The sport pilot flight instructor was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The instructor was not injured and the student sustained serious injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local area instructional flight.

According to the instructor, the airplane had been converted from an ultralight trainer to an E-LSA in January of 2008. Approximately 1 minute into the accident flight at 600 feet above ground level (agl), the engine sputtered. The engine completely lost power as the instructor attempted to return the airplane to the runway. The airplane impacted trees prior to reaching the runway.

The engine was examined by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector and a representative of Rotax engines. The examination revealed that the lower rod bearing was corroded and had failed. Near the area of the failure, there was a crack identified in the crankcase. The engine was manufactured in 1994 and sold in 1995 to the first user. The engine had been purchased by the owner as "rebuilt" in November of 2007, however, no supporting documentation was available for the engine. The engine manufacturer also specifies that the crankshaft should be replaced every 5 years. There was no evidence that the crankshaft had been replaced since the date of manufacture.