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Detroit Lakes, MN
DURING THE INITIAL CLIMBOUT, AS THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED THROUGH APPROXIMATELY 200' AGL, THE POWERPLANT FAILED COMPLETELY. THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN AN PLOWED FIELD, SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGING THE AIRCRAFT. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT 'THE NO. 1 PISTON HAD BROKEN UP THEN WAS NEARLY PULVERIZED BY INTERNAL IMPACTS.' THE REMAINING PISTONS WERE INTACT. DYE PENETRANT INSPECTION REVEALED FRACTURE DEVELOPMENT IN THE CASTING SPLIT LINE IN THE NO. 2 PISTON 'IDENTICAL TO THE FRACTURE LOCATION OF NO. 1 PISTON.'
DURING THE INITIAL CLIMBOUT, AS THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED THROUGH APPROXIMATELY 200' AGL, THE POWERPLANT FAILED COMPLETELY. THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN AN PLOWED FIELD, SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGING THE AIRCRAFT. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT 'THE NO. 1 PISTON HAD BROKEN UP THEN WAS NEARLY PULVERIZED BY INTERNAL IMPACTS.' THE REMAINING PISTONS WERE INTACT. DYE PENETRANT INSPECTION REVEALED FRACTURE DEVELOPMENT IN THE CASTING SPLIT LINE IN THE NO. 2 PISTON 'IDENTICAL TO THE FRACTURE LOCATION OF NO. 1 PISTON.'