This past Sat. we had a little excitement at my FBO. Our chief instructor was about 20 miles NW of the airport at 2700 AGL in a Cherokee 140, doing routine air work with a pre-solo student.
Suddenly, the engine threw a rod and quit cold. The CFI took the airplane, selected a perfectly long, dry and smooth farm field and landed uneventfully. He didn't put a scratch on the airplane, not even ruts in the field from the landing and roll out. When our mechanic and I arrived and opened the cowling, there was that big hole in the crankcase where the rod had fractured it as it came apart. The student commented on how cool his CFI was, even instructing during the glide about how to select a field, keep flaps up on final until the field was assuredly made, etc. The engine had 142 hours SMOH by a reputable shop (no need to mention which one here). The lesson reinforced is that any engine can quit at any time, regardless of how well maintained or how recently overhauled. Think of this event next time you contemplate flying a single at night or with low ceilings. Jerry E.
