Incident Overview
While maneuvering near Catalina Island, the aircraft was circling and turning in and out of canyons at an altitude of 1,700 feet above mean sea level. During this phase of flight, the engine suddenly lost power.
Engine Failure and Attempted Restart
All attempts by the pilot to restart the engine were unsuccessful. At the time of the incident, the weather conditions reported at Los Angeles International Airport, located 38 nautical miles to the north-northwest, indicated a temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit and a dew point of 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
Forced Landing and Terrain Impact
Faced with a complete loss of engine power, the pilot attempted to land the aircraft on a road that ran along a ridge. However, the aircraft ran off the ridge, descended down a ravine, and came to rest after impacting a tree.