Accident Overview
During a night flight, the aircraft's engine failed, prompting the pilot to execute an emergency landing. The pilot selected an open field that was on sandy terrain contoured as an orange grove. The terrain was uneven and soft, and the landing resulted in damage to the aircraft. The field had been shaped into rows for orange cultivation, making the surface irregular.
Examination Findings
A post-accident examination of the engine revealed that the No. 2 piston pin and its connecting rod had failed. Fatigue cracks were noted in the fracture areas of both components. Based on the examination, there were indications that the piston pin failed first. Subsequently, the connecting rod failed and penetrated the engine case, leading to the engine failure.