Engine about to self-destruct

In my 200+ hours with WOFF I’ve never encountered the “engine is about to self-destruct” or so tooltip, with oil splash on my windshield. Has it been recently introduced? Is there anything I might have done to cause this? It was really fortunate that I was low and close to a friendly airport - what could have happened had I not turned the engine off almost immediately?

Mechanical breakdowns are randomised, although the probability varies historically with the type of aircraft. Certain pilot actions seem to contribute, for example, running a Hispano-Suiza too long at full throttle.

Ekaton, plus one to what Raine has said. I’ve gone hours and hours without one, then had 3 in the next 5 missions!

Mechanical breakdowns are randomised, although the probability varies historically with the type of aircraft. Certain pilot actions seem to contribute, for example, running a Hispano-Suiza too long at full throttle.

Thanks for clarifying! Has the frequency changed recently? I can't recall any problems in UE and even before that.

No. I think you were just very lucky for 200 hours!

Over the last year the onliest SE5a pilots I have lost were to engine problem. That engine really likes to catch fire.

Random is random some people see zero, some see lots, luck of the draw. 200 hours I would expect you to see one or two at least - but it's random so you could be lucky as the guys say

Some aircraft have less reliable engines. We modelled the less reliable engine in the earlier SE5 and somewhat in the SE5a

Oh, I don't mind, I would expect it adds to the whole emersion layer of the game. I didn't tell you how many dead-stick landings after I killed the engine when it started to act up I have done. When flying an SE5 ya gotta watch for enemy aircraft and engine problems. I usually fly the long stretches on autopilot and have the flight instructor on to inform me of problems.

Oh, I'm very happy to have that in my game. I'm always prepared to follow the advice I learned in Wings - never turn around and always turn your engine off right before hitting the ground. I was just surprised to see it finally happen