Incident
During a descent approximately 7 miles from the destination airport, the pilot-in-command reported hearing a loud metallic explosion from the engine compartment. The aircraft then began to vibrate violently, and the windshield became covered with engine oil. Control tower personnel attempted to vector the aircraft toward the airport, but the pilot was unable to make visual contact with the field.
Emergency Landing
Unable to reach the airport, the pilot elected to land on a lighted city street. He aimed to touch down beyond a point where traffic was waiting for a traffic signal to change. However, as he passed the lights, the vehicles began moving forward. The pilot applied full flaps and pulled back on the control wheel, causing the aircraft to balloon back into the air. The plane then struck some wires, hit the terrain, and slid to a stop sideways. The landing gear had been sheared off during the sequence.
Post-Accident Investigation
Examination of the aircraft after the accident revealed a catastrophic engine failure caused by a connecting rod. No further details about the aircraft or operator were provided in the source.