What happened
The pilot reported losing engine power shortly after the aircraft departed the runway. Unable to maintain altitude, he executed an emergency forced landing in a nearby grassy field. The aircraft sustained damage during the incident, but the pilot survived.
The investigation
A post-acc examination of the engine compartment revealed significant issues with the induction system. Investigators found that the flexible air duct connecting the air filter to the fuel injector had collapsed. This collapse restricted airflow to the engine, leading to a loss of power.
Additionally, the inspection identified a missing component in the assembly. A forty-five-degree metal duct, which is designed to connect the end of the flex air duct to the fuel injector, was not installed. The air filter itself was also found to be dirty, further compounding the airflow restriction.
Findings
The investigation determined that the primary mechanical failure was due to the collapsed flexible air duct. The absence of the forty-five-degree metal duct contributed to the instability of the connection, allowing the flex duct to collapse under operational conditions. The dirty air filter likely exacerbated the issue by increasing resistance within the induction system.