What happened
The flight was proceeding normally during the cruise phase when the engine failed without any prior warning or indication of impending trouble. The crew attempted to restart the powerplant but was unsuccessful. With no alternative options available, a forced landing was executed into nearby wooded terrain. During the impact and subsequent roll, the aircraft nosed over.
The investigation
A mechanical examination of the engine was conducted to determine the cause of the failure. The inspection revealed that the crankshaft had fractured through the crank cheek, located just forward of the number two connecting rod journal. There were no signs of overheating or operation without proper lubrication at the time of the breakage.
Findings
The sudden loss of power was directly attributed to a catastrophic mechanical failure of the engine's internal components. The lack of warning suggests a brittle fracture rather than a gradual wear process. The inability to restart the engine left the pilot with no means to regain altitude or maneuver away from the terrain, leading to the inevitable collision with the trees and the resulting nosed-over position.
Safety message
This incident highlights the critical importance of pre-flight inspections and regular maintenance checks to identify potential fatigue cracks in engine components before they lead to in-flight failures.