# NTSB WPR19LA070: Hill Group CCX-2000, N57FX, Roll, AZ, January 19, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 19, 2019, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Roll, AZ - Coordinates: 32.829166, -113.990554 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8292&lon=-113.9906&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: 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: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Superior Air Parts, Transportation Safety Board Canada, Federal Aviation Administration, Cub Crafters, Progressive Air - NTSB case key (mKey): 98844 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR19LA070 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98844/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98844 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA070 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to a fatigue failure of the crankshaft for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip engine power section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Hill Group CCX-2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md?model=05636PK), [All aircraft, 233 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating): recip engine power section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Hill Group CCX-2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md?model=05636PK), [All aircraft, 233 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Hill Group CCX-2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05636PK), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Hill Group CCX-2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05636PK), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Hill Group CCX-2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05636PK), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during cruise flight, the engine began to run rough and he attempted to troubleshoot; shortly thereafter, oil pressure decreased to 0 and the engine began to vibrate before it lost all power. The pilot performed a forced landing, during which the airplane struck a ditch and nosed over, substantially damaging the left wing. Examination of the engine revealed that the crankshaft was fractured in fatigue aft of the No. 3 connecting rod journal, adjacent to the counterweights. Both counterweights were in place and remained attached to the crankshaft. Detailed examination of the fractured crankshaft revealed some non-conformances in the geometric tolerances of several crankcase attributes, and polishing was observed on the crankcase saddle bore landings; however, none were deemed severe enough to cause the crankshaft to fail in the time and manner in which it occurred. The cause of the crankshaft failure could not be determined based on the available information. ## Factual narrative On January 19, 2019, about 1400 mountain standard time, an experimental, amateur-built CCX-2000 airplane, N57FX, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Roll, Arizona. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, during cruise flight at an altitude of about 1,000 ft above ground level, the engine began to run rough. The pilot reduced engine power, enrichened the mixture, and turned on the emergency fuel pump and backup ignition, resulting in no change in the engine performance. Shortly thereafter, oil pressure decreased to 0 and the engine began to vibrate before it lost all power. The pilot initiated an off-airport landing to a nearby clearing. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a ditch and nosed over. Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed that the airplane sustained structure damage to the left wing. Postaccident examination of the recovered airframe and engine revealed that the engine was seized, and manual rotation via the crankshaft flange was not possible. The cylinders, overhead components, and accessories were in place and no external damage was noted. The oil sump, associated oil lines, and filter were in place and no leaks or damage were noted. The oil filler cap and fill tube were intact, and no anomalies were noted. The oil dipstick showed about 7 quarts. The engine was disassembled and all pistons and associated piston pins, connecting rods, rod-end caps, and bearings were in place and remained attached to the crankshaft. The No. 4 connecting rod was seized to the crankshaft. The remaining connecting rods moved freely about their respective journals. Mechanical scoring and striations were noted on the skirt area of all four pistons. The associated pistons rings remained in place. Normal combustion deposits were noted on all four piston faces. The camshaft was in place and nominal damage was observed to the shaft and lobes. A significant amount of metallic debris was noted throughout the engine, oil filter, oil sump and finger screen. The crankshaft (serial number TA06B000322) was fractured aft of the No. 3 connecting rod journal, adjacent to the counterweights. Both counterweights were in place and remined attached to the crankshaft. The crankshaft, crankcase, main bearings, and cylinder Nos. 3 and 4 connecting rod assemblies were sent to the National Transportation Safety Board Materials Laboratory for further examination. A Senior Materials Engineer examined the submitted components. The examination revealed that the crankshaft was fractured at the aft end of the No. 3 connecting rod bearing journal at the transition radius to the counterweight assembly, as seen in Figure 1. Figure 1: View of the crankshaft. The fracture surface was examined using a stereo binocular microscope and the fracture was observed to be comparatively flat with radial lines and curved crack progression marksthat were consistent with fatigue crack progression. Figure 2: View of the aft section of crankshaft fracture area. The journal surface at the fracture origin was examined for any notable features, but none were found. Other areas around the origin exhibited rubbing and deformation consistent with damage after the separation of the crankshaft into two pieces occurred. The main bearing and connecting rod bearing journal diameters were measured and found to be within the required limits on the engineering drawing. The crankcase halves flatness of the parting line, diameter and roundness of the main bearing saddle bores in the bolted and torqued condition, along with the concentricity of the saddle bore were measured. The flatness of the right and left halves was 0.00018 inch and 0.00169 inch, respectively. The left half exceeded the requirement of 0.0010 inch on the manufacturer’s drawing. The bore diameters measured within the manufacturer’s limits. The roundness for bores Nos. 1 and 2 were found within limits; however, bore No. 3 exceeded the limit of 0.0010 inch. The bearing shells were sent to their manufacturer for further examination. The shells were inspected visually and dimensionally. The middle bearings did show more wear than normal, but nothing was observed that would prevent the two bearings from operating normally. Review of airframe and engine records revealed that assembly of the engine was completed on November 17, 2017. At the time of the accident, the engine had accumulated 77.3 hours total time since new. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N57FX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N57FX), registered now, S/N CCX-2000-0005, built 2017 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hill Group LLC CCX-2000 - Registry model: [Hill Group CCX-2000](https://openairdocs.org/model/hill-group-ccx-2000) (registry code 05636PK) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Aerosport CC363I](https://openairdocs.org/engine/aerosport-cc363i) (registry code 01321, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: CCX-2000-0005 - Year built: 2017 - Engines: Aero Sport Power CC363I 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: Yuma, AZ - Destination: Chandler, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 9,538 total, 12 in this make and model, 9,538 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: KNYL, 33 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 20190119018669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190119018669A), Jan 19, 2019: Hill Group LLC CCX-2000, Roll, AZ, Substantial damage. On 1-19-2019 at cruise level 1000 AGL the pilot experienced a rough running engine, he reduced power and noted no change, he then lost all power and initiated… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 2, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98844. 42.2 MB in all. - Materials laboratory factual report 19-009 (item 1, PDF, 29 pages, 22 photos, 8.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12316993&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%20Factual%20Report%2019-009-Rel.pdf - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 2, PDF, 10 pages, 4.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12605322&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=1%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - NTSB engine examination summary report (item 3, PDF, 9 pages, 8 photos, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12604613&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=2%20WPRLA19070%20Engine%20Exam-Rel.pdf - Garmin G3X data (item 4, CSV, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12605026&FileExtension=csv&FileName=5%20CCX-2000-0005%20G3X%20Data-Rel.csv - Logbook entries (item 5, PDF, 4 pages, 456 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12604752&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6%20N57FX%20CCS%20Logbook%20Enteries%20(1-31-19)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Engine assembly quality assurance records (item 6, PDF, 11 pages, 5.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12605332&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=7%20N57FX%20-%20QA%20Engine%20Records%20(1-31-19)_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Aero sport power engine inspection records (item 7, PDF, 14 pages, 15.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12605036&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=8%20U93%20Aero%20Sport%20Power%20Assembly%20Record_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 8, PDF, 2 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12605046&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=10%20Party%20forms_Redacted-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.