NTSB Factual Report

On September 30, 2005, about 1400 eastern daylight time, a North American T-28C, N176RD, registered to Miami Beach Aviation LLC and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, impact an earth berm during a forced landing in Arcadia, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot received no injuries and the airplane was destroyed. The flight originated from Arcadia Municipal Airport, Arcadia, Florida, earlier that day, about 1345.

The pilot stated that the annual inspection had recently been completed and he was flying the airplane to the North Perry Airport located in Pembroke Pines, Florida. At an altitude of 2,000 feet and after about 15 minutes en route, he noticed a light colored smoke coming from and just above the right exhaust stack. He noticed the engine temperature rising shortly thereafter, followed by the engine oil metal chip detector light illuminated. The engine started producing unusual noises and a violent vibration followed. He looked for a suitable area to make a forced landing and elected to land on a gravel road with a canal running along side it. About 150 feet into the landing roll, the right wing tip struck a high berm. The airplane snapped to the right as the nose of the airplane went partially into the canal. The aft section of the empennage partially separated and came to a stop, next to the left forward side of the airplane.

Examination of the airplane's engine by an FAA inspector showed that the engine's oil system was contaminated with metal flakes. Pieces of silver and cooper colored metal were observed in the oil filter. Metal chunks of approximately 1/8 to ¼ inches were found on the metal chip detector. He stated that the silver metal debris is consistent with material from the master rod bearing.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power due to the failure of the master rod bearing.