What happened
During the climb phase after takeoff, the pilot reported a partial loss of engine power. Suspecting an electrical or smoke issue, he smelled what he believed to be smoke and subsequently turned off both the master switch and the alternator switch. Despite these actions, the engine continued to lose power. The pilot then dumped the fuel load in an attempt to mitigate potential fire hazards.
With the aircraft unable to maintain altitude, the pilot elected to make an emergency landing in a nearby canal. As he approached the water for the landing, the pilot observed that the entire right side of the engine was engulfed in flames. The right wing of the aircraft struck a tree during the descent, causing the plane to crash into the canal. The pilot reported seeing fire everywhere inside and around the cockpit. He exited the aircraft by jumping into the canal, swimming away from the burning wreckage to reach the shore.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the aircraft revealed significant mechanical failure contributing to the event. Investigators found that the number 3 intake pipe, part number 75113, had split open at the top. This structural failure allowed hot exhaust gases or combustion byproducts to escape into the engine compartment.
An analysis of the fire damage patterns indicated a blowtorch effect originating from the area of the number 3 cylinder. This localized intense heat likely caused the partial power loss and subsequent fire that forced the emergency ditching.
Findings
The sequence of events was driven by a mechanical failure in the engine's intake system. The splitting of the number 3 intake pipe created an uncontained leak, leading to a fire condition. The pilot's decision to dump fuel was a standard safety procedure to reduce fire risk during an emergency landing, though the aircraft still suffered significant damage upon impact with the tree and water.
The pilot survived the incident by exiting the aircraft quickly and swimming to safety. The investigation confirmed that the mechanical failure was the primary factor in the loss of power and the subsequent fire.