Event Summary
An aircraft engine failed while the airplane was at an altitude of 10,500 feet mean sea level (MSL). The pilot received vectoring instructions to a small private sod strip. However, that strip had been closed and plowed up for approximately one year and was not listed on the current aeronautical charts.
Flight and Vectoring
After the vectored approach to the closed strip proved unusable, the pilot was re-vectored to another airport. Originally, this second airport would have been within gliding distance for the aircraft. By the time of the re-vectoring, the airplane's altitude had become insufficient to reach that airport. The aircraft crash-landed approximately six miles short of the airport in a plowed field.
Crash and Investigation
During the crash landing in the plowed field, the aircraft nosed over. Post-accident investigation revealed that the engine crankshaft had failed. The investigation did not specify any additional factors, and the failure of the crankshaft was identified as the cause of the engine failure.