Plane experienced engine failure before crashing, killing Central NY pilot, NTSB rules

Red Hook, N.Y. — A World War I replica plane experienced engine failure before it crashed last month, killing the Central New York man piloting it, officials said.
Two cylinders had separated inside the plane’s Gnome 9N engine, according to a preliminary investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. There was also a wide crack in the engine crankcase between the threaded mounting bases of the separated cylinders.