Amateur-built I N72BH accident near Patterson, Louisiana

Probable cause

The non-certificated pilot’s decision to operate an unairworthy engine, which led to cylinder failure and a loss of engine power.

NTSB analysis

The owner, who was flying the airplane at the time of the accident, purchased the airplane about three months before the accident; the accident flight was the airplane’s first flight after the purchase. The airplane’s engine lost all power shortly after takeoff, and the airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post-impact fire. The non-certificated pilot was seriously injured; he did not provide a report of the accident; however, a postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the engine’s No. 2 cylinder had seized. A teardown examination of the engine revealed corrosion on the cylinder walls and the internal components of the No. 2 cylinder. No other preimpact anomalies were noted.

Review of maintenance records showed that the airplane had not received an annual condition inspection for over 7 years. Additionally, other than maintenance performed on the propeller reduction gearbox and engine controls, no maintenance was recorded for the remainder of the engine. There were no entries indicating compliance with the manufacturer’s recommended procedures for engine preservation during periods of inactivity.

At the time of the accident, the owner did not have a pilot certificate. He previously held a student pilot certificate, but it was revoked by the FAA in 1975.

Based on the condition of the engine’s interior, the engine had likely not been properly prepared for long-term storage, which allowed corrosion to develop on the No. 2 cylinder components. The loss of engine power was related to the non-certificated pilot’s decision to operate the engine despite the lack of maintenance, which resulted in a seizure during operation due to corrosion.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN24LA120 for the full record.