Jul 25, 2009
Accident
Substantial Escondido, CA
Injuries1 minor
Phase of Flight-
ConditionsVMC
OperationFAR 091
Probable Cause
A total loss of power due to an oil exhaustion induced seizure of the engine. The pilot's decision to continue flight to the original destination after becoming aware of the in-flight oil leak instead of landing at an intermediate airport to investigate the source and extent of the problem is also causal. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's reuse of the pushrod oil seal during maintenance in contradiction to the engine manufacturer's maintenance instructions.
NTSB WPR09LA369