Incident Overview
A pilot was cruising an airplane at 2,000 feet above ground level when he observed a loss of oil pressure, an increase in oil temperature, and a subsequent loss of engine power. In response, the pilot decided to perform an off-airport landing and established an approach pattern for a selected field.
Collision During Approach
During the landing approach, the airplane collided with trees and then the ground. Notably, there were open and longer fields available adjacent to the field that the pilot had chosen.
Post-Incident Findings
Examination of the engine after the incident revealed that the #1 piston was burned through and the #5 piston showed signs of overheating. The pilot reported that he had been using 3,100 rpm during cruise. The aircraft owner's manual recommends a cruise rpm range of 2,400 to 2,900 rpm at sea level and 2,400 to 3,050 rpm at 5,000 feet. Additionally, the ignition lead for a #1 cylinder spark plug was found to lack the proper connector.