My buddy's 914 failed taxiing in for breakfast with total seizure due to oil loss. Mechanic did not cover the vacuum accessory drive with the plate . Trashed the $30k motor.

That is sad. I bet he is happy about it. I wonder if the shop will own up to it and have their insurance pay it.

A Rotax is a 30K motor? Wow!

914 is the TN version, 115hp up to somewhere in the low teens, 1200TBO (a little low), and about 200lbs with everything installed. Outstanding power to weight. I seriously contemplated putting one on my Kitfox (still unfinished, sorry!) but went a completely different way with a Rotec radial.

Yikes. I had no idea.

No, it is a $5K motor on an airplane, which makes it cost $30K.

Mike C.

914 is the TN version, 115hp up to somewhere in the low teens, 1200TBO (a little low), and about 200lbs with everything installed. Outstanding power to weight. I seriously contemplated putting one on my Kitfox (still unfinished, sorry!) but went a completely different way with a Rotec radial.

The mechanic overhauled the gear box about 6 months ago. There's a plastic seal in the accessory drive that kept this from happening earlier but the seal finally blew out. My Rotax doesn't have this accessory drive so there's no cover needed; his did. Unfortunately, there is no one to go after; can't really sue a guy working out of his truck. We are just happy this occurred taxiing in and not 5 minutes earlier.

If you stare at the picture above, notice the engine mount is torqued/bent 20 degrees to the left. I can only imagine if the seizure occurred at full power as I believe the motor would have departed the airframe.

These are actually very reliable, sophisticated, light, cool running, smooth, powerful motors; I in no way blame the Rotax. If they built 300 HP motors, Continental would go out of business.

On the other hand, my other buddy had a Rotec (the Australian Radial) and that truly is a terrible engine. Multiple engine failures, cylinder departures, etc.

914 is the TN version, 115hp up to somewhere in the low teens, 1200TBO (a little low), and about 200lbs with everything installed. Outstanding power to weight. I seriously contemplated putting one on my Kitfox (still unfinished, sorry!) but went a completely different way with a Rotec radial.

No, it is a $5K motor on an airplane, which makes it cost $30K.

Mike C.

Yamaha genesis 998ci turbo snowmobile engine at around 200 hp at 140 lbs looks extremely promising. Basic engine technology proven for decades. Looks like you could by the whole brand new snow machine for under 20 k. Add an adapter plate and gearbox for under 3k.

Just Aircraft Highlander has a non turbocharged 140hp version actually flying that sounds incredible.

what happened to bend up the canopy like that? did the engine failure bend the whole airframe ?

The canopy is fine but check out the motor mount picture.

I find it hard to believe a failure due to oil loss at idle caused the bent mount. If that is the case, it would bend at full power. Not saying it isn't true, I just cannot think how.

I literally watched the failure occur. Going from 3000 RPM to sudden stoppage definitely cause a torque vector enough to bend the motor mount.