Hi Aviators and Mechanics... 8)...!

One of the commonest worry of pilots, when flying over remote mountains and large expanses of water, is the never-ending fear of engine failure.

Bearing in mind the simplicity of Lycoming/Continental flat 4, normally aspirated, (carburettor), piston engines with fixed pitch props, does anyone have a list, in order of occurrence and severity, the causes of failure in this type of engine whilst in the air?

Magneto failure and carburettor icing would be typical examples.

(This type of engine would be fitted to a Cessna 150/152/172).

Many thanks... ....!

Paul.

Fuel starvation?

I shouldn't think that putting sugar in the tanks would speed things up much either.

Hey Paul, just spotted the post.
For serious answers - hope this helps:

Engine Failure Statistics

2 percent are internal failures sometimes detectable by oil analysis

2 percent are oil problems related to pumps, filters or lines.

3 percent are induction problems related to hoses, clogging or alternate air doors

5 percent are spark problems related to spark plugs, magnetos, wiring harness, or switches.

6 percent are related to poor maintenance

7 percent are due to cylinder/valve problems due to improper leaning

8 percent are fuel related problems of selectors, carburetors, primers, or pumps.

8 percent are carburetor ice related where application of heat occurs too late to be effective.

11 percent are from contaminated fuel

20 percent are from starvation, exhaustion or other failure to deliver problems.

28 percent of engine failures are for unknown reasons where fuel, air or spark are responsible.

Pilots are in the main most likely to be responsible for an engine failure.

Engine component failure accidents:

1.Lycoming engines fail twice as often as Continental
2. Engine size has no effect of frequency of failure
3. 43% mechanical
4. 1 in 5 accidents during cruise. Cruise flight accidents due to weather and fuel.
5. 1 in 3 engine/prop
6. 1 in 4 due to gear or brakes
7. 1 in 6 due to fuel
Fuel exhaustion is most common factor.
8. 18% of engine type accidents caused by engine failure unrelated to pilot induced failure.
9. 1.296 per 100,000 flight hours
10. Pneumatic system is 1:40,000 IFR flight plans filed.
11. 25% of all accident occur after partial or total loss of engine power.
12. When planes switched from piston-powered engines to jet engines in the 1960s, they immediately became more reliable by a factor of 10.

Other reasons: UFO attack ???
Flying into restricted airspace (Military patrolled)

No worries mate glad to help the aged
Quote:

That's actually a worryingly large amount
Once again glad to be of service.

LOL! is she anywhere near as OLD as you? LOL

Quote:

Paul. I'm not sure that Rolls-Royce Continental engines are fitted to Cessnas or other US-built aircraft. Rolls-Royce reluctantly built these engines under licence so they could be fitted in British-built aircraft for use with the RAF, specifically the Beagle Basset & Bulldog. They're likely to be more expensive than the original US-manufactured examples.

I think the most common cause of failure with any petrol (gasoline) engine is fuel contamination. Water caused by condensation when the aircraft is left standing for any length of time with low fuel tanks is the usual culprit. It's most important that this is drained off regularly & particularly before the aircraft is flown. This is part of the DI schedule & usually carried out every morning on club & flying school aircraft.

I should think fuel problems are the most common reason for the engine stopping. Whether it's water in the tanks, dirt in the fuel line, an airlock or some other sort of contamination.