Loss of Engine Power (Total): Aero Commander 100 180, N3718X; accident occurred June 14, 2016 in Port Lavaca, Calhoun County, Texas

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Antonio, Texas

Aviation Accident Factual Report -  National Transportation Safety Board: http://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

http://registry.faa.gov/N3718X

Location: Port Lavaca, TX
Accident Number: CEN16LA249
Date & Time: 06/14/2016, 0945 CDT
Registration: N3718X
Aircraft: AERO COMMANDER 100 180
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On June 14, 2016, about 0945 central daylight time, an Aero Commander model 100-180 airplane, N3718X, was substantially damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Port Lavaca, Texas. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.

The pilot reported that he felt a vibration and heard a "bang" about 15 minutes after takeoff when the airplane was at 1,100 ft above ground level. The engine subsequently began to lose power. The oil pressure dropped to zero as the pilot heard another "bang" and then the propeller stopped turning. He executed a forced landing to a pasture, and the nose landing gear collapsed due to the soft ground.

A postaccident airplane examination revealed that the engine mount was damaged. An engine examination determined that the No. 4 connecting rod had separated from the crankshaft. The connecting rod mating flanges common to the rod cap were fractured. A fragment of the bearing was partially extruded around the connecting rod. The rod cap was deformed. A mating portion of one connecting rod flange remained secured to the rod cap by the attachment bolt and nut. The opposite connecting rod flange was fragmented and deformed. The attachment bolt was fractured. The bolt shank exhibited necking adjacent to the fracture surface; the mating portion of the bolt and the nut were not recovered. Three bearing fragments were recovered; each fragment was deformed and appeared worn. All fracture surfaces sustained secondary mechanical damage which precluded further examination.

A review of the airplane maintenance records by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the most recent engine overhaul was accomplished about 25 years before the accident flight. The engine manufacturer recommended that all engine models be overhauled within 12 years of the "date they first entered service or of last overhaul" in order to "mitigate engine deterioration that occurs with age." However, an aircraft owner is not required comply with the engine manufacturer's recommended overhaul interval when operating under Part 91 unless the engine does not meet the requirements of an annual inspection. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 76, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s):None 
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present:No 
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam:09/17/2012 
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 07/16/2014
Flight Time:   4000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 475 hours (Total, this make and model), 4000 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: AERO COMMANDER
Registration: N3718X
Model/Series: 100 180 180
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1968
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 5022
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 02/19/2016, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2450 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 13 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 2374 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-360-A2F
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator:On file 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PKV, 32 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 13 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0935 CDT
Direction from Accident Site: 268°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 2000 ft agl
Visibility:  7 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 180°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.91 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C / 26°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Port Lavaca, TX (PKV)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Port Lavaca, TX (PKV)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0930 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Calhoun County (PKV)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 32 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Soft; Vegetation
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries:1 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 28.659722, -96.435278 (est)