The CHT Still Kept Rising, And The Engine Ceased Producing Power

Location: Rushville, NE Accident Number: CEN21LA351
Date & Time: August 2, 2021, 15:54 Local Registration: N1361S
Aircraft: Larry H Sligar Cozy MK IV Injuries: 2 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On August 2, 2021, about 1554 mountain daylight time, a Cozy MK IV airplane, N1361S, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Rushville, Nebraska. The commercial pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that after takeoff, he noticed that all four cylinder head temperatures (CHT) were higher than they should have been as indicated on the engine monitoring device. He noticed that the CHT never stabilized and never decreased in temperature after the takeoff. The outside air temperature was 91° F and the airplane was traveling about 130 kts after the takeoff. The pilot attempted to reduce the high CHT with the throttle and mixture and the CHT kept rising. The pilot decided to return to the departure airport. During the flight back to the airport, the CHT still kept rising, and the engine ceased producing power.

The pilot maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing to an open grass field surrounded by olling prairie and trees. During the forced landing, the nose wheel and the main landing gear collapsed from impacting the field, and the airplane came to rest on the fuselage. The pilot and passenger were able to egress from the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.

The pilot reported the airplane was “about topped off” with fuel prior to the cross-country flight. The airframe was equipped with a parachute, which was not activated during the emergency sequence. The wreckage is pending recovery for a future examination of the airframe and the Lycoming O-360-A1D engine.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov