Event Description
While on a personal flight in normal cruise at an altitude of approximately 1,000 feet, about 2 miles southeast of the airport, the engine began to misfire and the cabin filled with smoke. The pilot elected to land in a clearing. The pilot stated that the engine was losing power and that the aircraft could not maintain altitude. During the landing roll, the nose gear broke off after hitting a small rise in terrain. The aircraft nosed over and came to rest.
Investigation Findings
Post-crash inspection revealed that the muffler had several pin-size rust holes, which permitted exhaust gases to burn through the shroud. This exhaust damaged insulation on the left magneto wiring harness, voltage regulator wiring, and battery wires from the generator. After replacing the magneto wiring harness, an engine run-up was accomplished with no problems noted. The muffler shroud was made of aluminum rather than stainless steel.