Accident Bellanca 8KCAB N5058L, Saturday 20 December 1997

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Date:	Saturday 20 December 1997
Time:	11:15 LT
Type:	Bellanca 8KCAB
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N5058L
MSN:	558-79
Year of manufacture:	1979
Total airframe hrs:	4306 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming AEIO-360-HIA
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Truckee, CA - United States of America
Phase:	Initial climb
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	, CA (KTRK)
Destination airport:	Marinwood, CA
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
The aircraft was substantially damaged during a forced landing in a snow covered field due to a total loss of engine power in the takeoff initial climb. During a teardown inspection of the engine, it was noted that the number 3 connecting rod assembly had undergone a progressive failure.

Probable Cause: internal mechanical failure of the engine due to a progressive failure of the No. 3 connecting rod assembly. A contributing factor was the snow pack which covered the only accessible emergency landing area.

Accident investigation: