Trojan TA16 N36YR

Summary

On 2 June 2022 at about 17:15 local time, a Trojan TA16 registered N36YR was involved in an accident near Ray, Michigan, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 June 2022 at 17:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Ray, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Ray Community (57D)

Coordinates

42.7406, -82.8897

Aircraft

Trojan TA16

Registration

N36YR

Category

Airplane

Year built

2017

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN22LA251

Nobody was injured.

A lack of lubrication and inadequate cooling, which resulted in internal damage to the engine and a subsequent total loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot, who was the builder of the experimental, amateur-built airplane, reported that shortly after takeoff the engine surged rapidly three times and then lost total power. The pilot turned the airplane back toward the airport to try to land on the runway. While maneuvering toward the airport, the pilot attempted to restore engine power, but was not successful. Unable make the runway, the pilot performed a forced landing to a rough field, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. A postaccident examination of the engine found that the bearings connecting the piston arms to the crankshaft were seized and displayed signatures consistent with a lack of oil lubrication and cooling. Reviewed data stored in the electronic flight instrument system did not provide indications of an impending oil system malfunction. The pilot stated that he purchased the engine as a “firewall forward” package and speculated that the engine could have benefitted from the installation of a secondary oil cooler.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.