NTSB Factual Report

On March 5, 2016, about 1508 eastern standard time, a Cirrus Design Corporation SR22, N295AR, was substantially damaged following a total loss of engine power and forced landing at Hauppauge, New York. The pilot and one passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to Advance Wellness and was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day, visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight from Groton, Connecticut (GON) to Farmingdale, New York (FRG) originated about 1430.

According to the pilot, during cruise flight, at 2,200 feet mean sea level, the engine "sputtered" twice, then lost all power. The fuel selector was on the left tank, so he switched to the right tank and attempted a restart. The engine would not restart, so he elected to activate the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS). The CAPS deployed normally and the airplane touched down in a lawn adjacent to an industrial complex near Hauppauge. The pilot and passenger exited the cockpit and first responders arrived to assist.

An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. Structural damage to fuselage was evident. The wing fuel tanks contained fuel. An initial inspection of the engine with a borescope revealed physical evidence of valve strikes to the top surfaces of all six pistons.

The engine was removed from the airframe and sent to the manufacturer's facility for further examination. During the disassembly of the engine, the starter adapter was removed, and damage to the camshaft gear teeth was noted. The oil filter was removed and opened; metal particles were found inside the filter element. Several metal particles were found in the oil sump after removal. The cylinders were removed; each piston head exhibited valve strike signatures. The camshaft was removed from the engine case. The camshaft was intact; however, about 50% of the camshaft gear teeth were smeared or missing.

Metallurgical examination of the failed camshaft gear teeth revealed that the first fractured tooth, located about 180º from the timing mark, failed from fatigue. The fracture surface exhibited beach marks and multiple initiation areas at the surface of the tooth. From the direction of the crack growth indicated by the arrest lines, the tooth separated in the direction of loading from engine operation by the mating crankshaft gear. Most of the remaining broken or missing teeth exhibited overload signatures. Camshaft gear hardness was measured with a diamond slim profile penetrator and met the manufacturer's specifications.

The engine, model number IO-550-NB7, was built on February 25, 2001, and had accumulated 1,543.7 hours at the time of the accident. On August 9, 2005, Continental Motors Inc. issued Service Bulletin SB05-08, which called for the replacement of the camshaft gear with an improved gear, nominally 0.060" wider. The bulletin compliance time was, "At next engine overhaul or at camshaft gear replacement." The recommended overhaul time for this engine was 2,000 hours or 12 years, whichever occurred first. At the time of the accident, the service bulletin had not been complied with and the accident airplane's engine did not have the improved camshaft gear installed.

NTSB Probable Cause

The total loss of engine power, which resulted from the failure of the camshaft gear due to fatigue. Contributing to the accident was the owner/operator's failure to comply with the engine manufacturer's recommended overhaul interval.