The magnetos were broken from the engine due to the apparent failure of a connecting rod in the engine (top photo). The failure blew two holes in the case, which led the engine to seize (bottom photo).

by Perry Wilson

I decided to make my preflight inspection the day before I was to embark on a flight from Ontario to Alberta. Since buying the Piper Malibu new 17 years earlier, I had a pretty good understanding of the need to stay on top of its condition.

I intended to make a thorough preflight, but as it progressed it got more involved. I noted the air conditioning belt was extremely worn – despite the fact that the airplane had undergone a 100-hour inspection recently – and needed to remove the upper cowling to get at the belt. I decided to remove it to prevent it from breaking during the flight,…