NTSB Factual Report

On December 13, 2014, about 1440 central standard time, an experimental, amateur-built Wade Revelation, N783QJ, was substantially damaged during a forced landed following a total loss of engine power near Ellisville, Mississippi. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight that departed from Hesler-Nobel Field (LUL), Laurel, Mississippi about 1425. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.

The pilot reported that he was in cruise flight, over a town, with the engine set at 75 percent power, the engine made a "little skip." He immediately turned the airplane in the direction of the airport; however, the engine subsequently lost all power. The only clear area to land was a road running through a cemetery. While on approach to the road, the left wing struck a tree, the airplane veered to the left, and subsequently impacted a tombstone and nosed over. He further reported that the airplane's fuel tank was approximately three-fourths full when the engine ceased operation.

Initial examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that a longeron was substantially damaged and the engine would partially rotate through one revolution and then seize. During manual operation of the engine, a "metallic scraping" was audibly observed. The spark plugs were removed and one spark plug was "really dry." The fuel/oil mixture was examined and appeared normal in color. During a follow-on engine examination by the FAA inspector, the front cylinder exhibited scoring on the cylinder wall. The gaps on both spark plugs were closed and "several small" metal pieces were located inside the cylinder. Further examination revealed the front connecting rod needle bearing failed and no overheating of the bearing or cylinder was noted.

The two-seat, high-wing, pusher propeller, tube and fabric airplane was powered by a two-stroke Zanzottera MS202 engine. According to the pilot, the engine had accumulated 81 hours total time in service, and 78 hours since its most recent inspection.

Examination of the engine's "Instruction and Maintenance Manual" revealed a warning which stated in part, "WARNING, this is not an aeronautic approved engine. This engine has not been subjected to durability and safety tests in compliance with aeronautical standards and is not a certified engine….The user must assume responsibility for all risks deriving from the use of this engine and must understand that this engine is subject to sudden failure…Never use an aircraft fitted with this engine in areas, conditions and altitudes that may cause problems if forced to land as a result of sudden engine failure."

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the uncertified engine's front connecting rod needle bearing, which resulted in damage to the front piston and a subsequent loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to operate the airplane with the uncertified engine over a town that had no suitable area to land.