NTSB Factual Report

On April 15, 2004, at 1635 central daylight time, a homebuilt Spannagel RV-8A, single-engine airplane, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power at Hutchinson County Airport (BGD), near Borger, Texas. The private pilot/owner/builder, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

In a written statement, the 355-hour pilot, 1-hour of which was in the accident aircraft, reported that prior to take off he pulled into the run-up area and "checked all conditions....and all indications [were] positive." The take off was normal until he reached an altitude of 1,200 feet above ground level (4,200 feet mean sea level), when he noticed an increase in oil temperature. The pilot leveled the airplane, and initiated a left crosswind turn, followed by a downwind turn in the traffic pattern. The oil temperature continued to increase toward the red-line mark on the gauge.

The pilot added that when the airplane was on the downwind leg, engine power decreased and he was unable to maintain altitude. The pilot extended the flaps to 20 degrees and turned onto a short final approach for Runway 21. The airplane impacted terrain approximately 100 feet short of the landing threshold. Subsequently, the landing gear collapsed, the airplane nosed over, slid for approximately 100 feet, and came to rest in an inverted position at the threshold of Runway 21.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector performed an on-scene examination of the airplane and engine. Structural damage was observed to the right wing, rudder, canopy, vertical stabilizer, and propeller. The fuselage was wrinkled. The inspector reported that continuity was established for the engine controls and fuel system, and honey-colored oil had exited the carburetor and had pooled around the engine area. The engine oil and engine oil filter were changed approximately 1-hour before the flight. The new Chevrolet V6 4.3 liter liquid cooled automotive engine had accrued a total of five hours at the time of the accident. A normal amount of engine coolant was also observed.

Further examination of the engine by the pilot/owner/builder, revealed that the main bearings and connecting rod bearings were partially seized on the engine, and that the clearances between the journals and the bearings were too tight. The bearings exhibited chafing.

NTSB Probable Cause

A partial loss of engine power as a result of inadequate clearance between the journals and bearings.