Jul 10, 1999
Accident
Destroyed LAFAYETTE, OR
Injuries1 fatal
Phase of Flight-
ConditionsVMC
OperationFAR 091
Probable Cause
Fatigue of the number two connecting rod end resulting in a fracture at the rod end and release from the crankshaft, an ensuing in-flight fuel fed fire, followed by the pilot's abandoning the aircraft in flight. A contributing factor was pressure on the pilot induced by the conditions/events (in-flight fire entering the upper cockpit).
NTSB SEA99FA113