HumbleNarrator

In that sentence I wasn't referring to this accident specifically, just my general sense, and not necessarily infant mortality. I've never seen one (admittedly, I only have about 2 dozen I've flown behind) that make it to TBO with all original cylinders. I've seen some gnarly failures (rods through cases). I've worked a number of accidents, and talked to a lot of experts. The consensus is that we're seeing more [TS]IO-550 engines fail in flight than you'd expect in relatively new airframes. But kind of like a medical doctor who notices "everyone has the flu these days," those observations are of somewhat limited scope. The stats might be that the big bore TCMs are the most reliable things out there. But eyebrows have been raised.

What's speculative about what I wrote? It is (was) a TSIO-550, not a "turbo normalized" IO-550 (as you wrote). It was an "all-Continental" engine that was only a few hours into its life (N576CM received its airworthiness certificate January 31, 2019, crashed June 11, 2019). The pilot reported a "rough running engine" on a recorded ATC frequency.

TSIO-550. While in this application it's essentially turbo-normalized (IIRC Mooney fixed it at 33"), calling it a "TN'd IO550" conjures up aftermarket bolt-on TN kits like those from Tornado Alley. This was an all-Continental factory engine that failed a few hours into its life. (I'm not a huge fan of the [TS]IO-550, though I don't have statistics to back up my sense that they're less reliable than they should be.)

Have a 1969 M20F we picked up a couple of years ago. vRef at the time was about $75K, we insured the hull for $80K. Time to renew insurance, not sure if it's worth bumping that? $90K would be another $100/yr, $100K another $200/yr. (Now that I type that, it seems silly to even ask. But maybe even $100K is too low?) 4500 TTAF. 0 TSMOH (field overhauled by a Lycoming specialist; Divco did the cases, Aircraft Specialty Services did the guts, new cylinders) 200 hours on a scimitar prop. P&I are 9/10 (redone). Tanks don't leak. Steam panel with: GNS430W S-TEC 30 with GPSS JPI 830 with fuel totalizer GPSmap 496 with XM radio / weather PMA450 stereo audio panel with Bluetooth Old GTX327 transponder FDL-978-XVR ADS-B In/Out KX-155 with failing display Several "201" mods including windshield, "guppy mouth" fill plate, but original belly / fairing. 40:1 gear conversion Always hangared, no corrosion What's that worth in today's craziness?