What happened
The pilot departed DuPage Airport in Chicago, IL, en route to Kansas City Downtown Airport. While descending from cruise altitude, the pilot reported that oil covered the windscreen, which coincided with a total loss of engine power.
In response to the engine failure, the pilot attempted a night forced landing at an airport located approximately 45 miles northeast of the intended destination. During the landing roll on the hard-surfaced runway, the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft. The aircraft careened off the runway into rough and uneven terrain, the impact of which tore a wing from its attachment point.
The investigation
A post-accident examination of the aircraft and its maintenance records revealed that the aircraft had not been properly inspected and was not airworthy for the flight. Mechanical inspection of the engine identified a failure consistent with a connecting rod, rod end, or rod bolt failure, which resulted in a hole being created in the engine case.