I purchased an Aerobeez Sbach 342 30%. Using Hitec 5645 MG for all control surfaces, standard Hitec MG for throttle. Spektrum satellite receiver. LiFe 6.0 v battery for receiver and servos, LiPo battery for ignition on engine, Optical kill switch, with DLE 60 twin engine to limit vibrations and for the extra power.

First DLE engine was broke in on the plane, ran for a full two hours using 91 octane 100% gasoline mixed with Penzoil air cooled 2 stroke oil at 30:1. First flight was learning the low speed attitude of the plane when engine stopped running and was luckily able to bring the plane in with minimal damage to anything.

Removed motor and returned to LHS. They sent it in and after two and a half weeks called me stating that they had a replacement.

After opening the box did a visual inspection of the motor and found significant pitting in one of the cylinder's wall. Called Great Planes and asked if that was common or if it would pose an issue. They replied that sometimes there is pitting and that as long as the motor is broken in properly it would not be an issue. Still having uncertainty I call my LHS and spoke with their motor guy and he also stated that pitting is found and that as long as the motor is broken in properly it would not be an issue.

Istalled the motor and once again ran it on the ground for two hours with 91 octane 100% gasoline mixed 30:1 with penzoil air cooled 2 stroke oil. While breaking the motor in I did notice that the cylinder with pitting in it had higher temperature readings than its counterpart. At one point I did get a reading of 280 and immediately throttled it down to idle then killed the motor. Rotated the engine so that the pistons were at bottom dead center while it cooled. Once it was to ambient air temperature started the motor again and kept a very close eye on the temps. That cylinder ran at about 20-30 degrees higher than its counterpart but did not get a reading over 240 and towards the end of the break in process was getting readings of 210-220.

During the break in i did not get any abnormal RPM readings nor did they fluctuate while running. Two days after break in I finally had a clear and very calm day to try the motors maiden voyage. Took off without incident, flew numerous passes trimming the airplane for level flight at 30% throttle, tested the engine's transition from idle to high speed numerous times. Did a couple idle passes to see how the plane would react to landing approach. On the final idle pass over the landing strip as the plane was flying away from me 30' off the ground the motor seized up.

Attempted to turn the plane and salvage as much altitude as possible but at the end of the turn the plane finally stalled. Managed to bring it to withing 20 yards of the landing strip but did not make it back. Went down in a recently plowed field tearing landing gear off and ripping most of the under side of the plane out.

Now I am left dealing with a damaged plane, pile of scrap metal motor, and the final fun fly of the season two days away. Yes I have other's to fly but the Sbach is 87" wingspan and the was the crown jewel of my collection to enjoy flying.

I am confident that the motor will be replace at no cost to me but am now without an aircraft to put the motor in nor am I willing to say that I will even want to try a third motor in what will most likely be another new aircraft.

Did I do something wrong, or am I out of line in feeling that the engine failure caused the aircraft to crash and the manufacture or LHS should assume some of the responsibility for damage caused by the crash?