On 24 Nov 2003 11:31:57 -0800, (Captain Wubba)
wrote:



So I'd like to find out if anyone has done any objective analysis of
certificated, piston-engine failure rates in light airplanes. I have
seen all kinds of 'guesses', but little in the way of objective facts.


There are variations depending on the engine and aircraft. Whether these
are significant is unknown, as the universe is too small to afford
significance to the statistics.

Last year, in the March and June issues (2002) Aviation Consumer published
studies on accidents in light and heavy single engine a/c of the type most
of us here fly.

The total accident rate from all causes was on the order of 3.8/100,000 hrs
and the fatal accident rate from all causes was on the order of 1.1/100,000
hrs.

Engine failures (NOT including fuel exhaustion) comprised about 21% of the
accidents so, since fatal accidents are likely all reported to the NTSB, I
think one could assume a fatal engine failure accident rate on the order of
1/500,000 hrs in this group of aircraft.




Ron (EPM) (N5843Q, Mooney M20E) (CP, ASEL, ASES, IA)