Amateur-built MARK V N87JL accident near Amelia, Ohio

Probable cause

The distributor failure, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during cruise climb.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that the engine experienced a sudden and total loss of power during cruise climb. He was unable to restart the engine by isolating the ignition systems and the two fuel pumps. The propeller would rotate while he engaged the starter, but the engine would not restart. Subsequently, the pilot completed a forced landing on a nearby golf course. After an uneventful touchdown on a fairway, the airplane collided with a sand bunker that preceded the green.

A postaccident examination revealed that the experimental amateur-built airplane was equipped with a converted automobile engine that had two ignition systems. The two ignition systems combined at a common distributor before terminating at the spark plugs. Although both ignition coils provided voltage while the engine crankshaft was rotated, a corresponding spark was not produced at the individual spark plugs. An examination of the distributor assembly revealed that the electrode contact had separated from the distributor rotor, which would have resulted in an immediate and total loss of engine power and prevented the engine from being restarted.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN14LA195 for the full record.