Incident Overview
A pilot and four passengers departed Durango Airport on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan bound for Wichita, Kansas. During the climb to altitude, the aircraft suffered a complete loss of engine power. The pilot executed a forced landing on terrain deemed unsuitable for such an event.
Occupant Injuries and Aircraft Damage
The forced landing resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft. Among the five occupants, three sustained fatal injuries and two suffered serious injuries.
Engine Examination Findings
Post-accident examination of the engine revealed that an oil passage supplying lubrication to the No. 1 connecting rod bearing was blocked. The lack of lubrication caused the connecting rod to fail, which in turn led to the engine failure.
Flight Details
The flight originated from Durango Airport under an IFR flight plan, with the intended destination being Wichita, Kansas. No further details about the aircraft type or registration were provided in the investigation report.