Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On December 17, 1993, at 1235 mountain standard time, a Bellanca 8KCAB, N5065G, was substantially damaged during a forced landing 10 miles south of Westcliffe, Colorado. The pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this personal flight which departed Custer County Airport with an intended destination of Fremont County Airport. No flight plan was filed.

According to the pilot, he had been airborne approximately 2 minutes and began getting smoke in the cockpit. The pilot said that the engine "stopped" and he was forced to land in mountainous terrain. During the landing, the left wing struck the ground first and the aircraft nosed over.

The engine was examined by an FAA airworthiness inspector who found that the number two connecting rod bearing had failed and the rod had exited through the engine case. WAS FAILURE OF THE NUMBER TWO CONNECTING ROD BEARING. A FACTOR WAS UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.