SARATOGA, WY, USA
N9121V
MOONEY M20F
WHILE IN LEVEL CRUISE FLT AT 10500 FT, THE PLT HEARD A HIGH-PITCHED WHINE THAT LASTED FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS. THE ENGINE THEN SEIZED AND THE PLT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN MOUNTAINOUS FOOTHILLS. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE LANDING GEARCOLLAPSED. EXAMINATION OF THE DISASSEMBLED ENGINE REVEALED EVIDENCE OF HIGH HEAT DISTRESS AND A FRACTURED CRANKSHAFT. DETAILED EXAMINATION OF THE CRANKSHAFT REVEALED EVIDENCE OF A LACK OF LUBRICATION AND FATIGUE. MAINTENANCE RECORDS REVEALED THAT THE ACFT WAS INVOLVED IN A GEAR COLLAPSE INCIDENT IN 1977 THAT RESULTED IN A PROP STRIKE AND SUDDEN ENGINESTOPPAGE. THE ENGINE WAS NOT DISASSEMBLED AND INSPECTED AT THAT TIME AS SUGGESTED BY AVCO LYCOMING SERVICE LETTER NO. L163B.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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