Narrative
A forced landing was made after the engine failed while the aircraft was cruising at 8,000 feet. The pilot executed the landing following the loss of power.
Examination Findings
Post-incident examination of the engine revealed that the top of the crankcase was cracked, and a hole was present in the top of the case at the No. 2 cylinder location. The bottom of the cap of the No. 2 connecting rod had broken off, and the rod was protruding through the hole in the case. When the rod failed, engine oil sprayed over the windshield, obscuring the pilot's forward vision.
Maintenance History
The aircraft was a 1964 model. According to records, the engine had never been removed from the aircraft or overhauled during the 22-year period since it was new. Total time on the aircraft and engine was 1,446 hours. The owner/pilot stated that he felt the engine should have 'gotten 1,600 hrs or more, instead of 1,446' before any failure.