NTSB Factual Report

On December 29, 2016, about 1120 mountain standard time, a Diamond Aircraft DA40 NG, N605SJ experienced a partial loss of engine power near Kingman, Arizona. The airplane was registered to and operated by CTC Aviation, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings during the subsequent forced landing. The flight departed Kingman Airport about 1100 with a planned destination of Lake Havasu City Airport, Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan was filed.

The pilot was flying with the intention of gaining flight time experience in preparation for his commercial pilot's license test.

He reported that during level cruise at an elevation of about 9,500 ft msl, he felt the airframe shaking, and a few minutes later, he received an ECU (Engine Control Unit) A and B failure annunciation. He began to follow the emergency checklist, and while doing so he noticed that the engine oil temperature was rising. He reduced engine power and initiated a descent, and the oil temperature began to drop, however a short time later, the oil pressure dropped to zero. Having now descend to 3,500 ft, he decided to perform a forced landing into a field. During the landing roll, both wings struck vegetation, resulting in delamination of the upper and lower skins at the leading edge.

Subsequent examination revealed that the belly of the airplane was soaked in black-colored oil from the engine cowling through to the tailskid, with the source appearing to be from the engine oil breather hose.

The airplane was equipped with a four-cylinder, turbocharged, Austro AE300 (E4-series) diesel-fuel engine.