June 17, 2004 - 98SN is due for an annual (condition inspection).
Logbook does not reflect this having been done.

July 31, 2004

Shannon remarks to a couple of folks at OSH that he is concerned about
high oil temps and high CHTs on 1 and 3.

Shannon adds 3 quarts of oil.

August 1, 2004

Prior to take-off, EFIS records highest oil pressure of flight at 69
psi.

1823 - Shannon departs OSH

1830 - Oil temp is increasing, pressure is decreasing, reaching 220* and
35 psi at this time.  EFIS was set to give oil temp CAUTION at 220*.

1842 - 98SN reaches peak altitude of 12,408 ft. (avg. rate of climb from
take-off = 610 fpm, avg. ground speed about 190 kts. - ed.) Oil temp is
227* and pressure is 23 psi.

1842+ - 98SN enters a descending right turn from a south-southwesterly
heading to a west-southwesterly heading.  Descent rate reaches 4,000
fpm.  Oil temp climbs through 240*, which should have triggered a
WARNING on the EFIS.

1843 - Shannon calls MSN tower and says he has an engine problem and
needs to land. He reports his position as 15 miles east and altitude as
8,000 ft.

1844 - MSN controller radar IDs 98SN as 15 miles southeast, clears
Shannon direct to MSN to land on either 32 or 21.  Shannon says,
"Alright uh if you don't mind I'm going to circle around up here and uh
see if I can iron out the problem and then uh I'll try to let you know
what I need to do."

1845 - 98SN flies over Blackhawk airport (87Y) at 7,000 ft.  (Blackhawk
has two paved runways, 4-22, 2814 ft. and 9-27, 2203 ft. - ed.)

1846 - EFIS records engine rpm beginning to decrease from 2,790.
controller advises Shannon airport at eleven o'clock, eight miles.
Shannon says he has the field in sight.  Controller advises 32 is
closest runway, winds are 225 at 5.  Shannon asks which runway is the
"active."  Controller says they are using 21, 18, and 14, but with light
winds he can use 32.

1847 - Shannon says he will enter a left base for 21, for which he is
cleared.  Nineteen seconds later Shannon says, "alright 8SN is going to
go straight in to 32 we're really having problems."  Controller clears
him on 32.

1848 - Shannon says, "and Madison 8SN I'm not sure that I'm going to
make the runway."  Controller says the airport is eleven o'clock, two
and a quarter miles.  Shannon says, "I have the field but I'm just
losing altitude really bad I'm not sure I'm going to make it."

1849 - RPM reaches zero.  Shannon tells the tower he's not going to make
the airport.  Last data entry on the EFIS.

Engine teardown reveals #3 piston is eroded along the entire outside
edge down past the rings and is burned through.  Spark plugs for #3 are
oil soaked and have metal deposits.  There is an impact mark on the top
of the piston from a valve.  One of the aluminum piston pin caps is
burned away.  The connecting rod is heat discolored and the bearing
material is extruding from the rod cap.  #5 and #6 pistons have black
deposits, the rods are heat discolored and bearing material is
extruding.  There are valve impact marks on the top of the pistons and
the pushrods are bent.  The crankshaft is dry and heat discolored.  Oil
sump contained oil and pieces of metal.  Oil pump contained metal.  Oil
pump drive shaft was sheared with characteristics of an overload
failure.  Oil filter contained metal pieces.

For those who don't know, Shannon was running a supercharger on this
engine.