Incident Summary
An aircraft was damaged during a forced landing conducted off airport property. The forced landing followed the failure of the rear engine at an altitude of about 350 feet above ground level. The pilot reported that after the engine stopped, he was unable to feather its propeller. Because the aircraft could not climb with the engine inoperative, the pilot decided to land away from the airport.
Pilot Actions and Decision
The pilot's statement described the situation as presenting a choice among colliding with houses, experiencing a stall and spin, or landing in trees. The pilot elected to attempt a landing in the trees, which resulted in the aircraft coming to rest among them and sustaining damage. No details were provided regarding the extent of damage to the aircraft.
Post-Accident Examination Findings
A post-accident examination of the failed engine revealed an internal failure. The examination disclosed that the No. 6 connecting rod had penetrated the engine casing. No further details about the engine or the aircraft's configuration were provided in the available information.