What happened
Shortly after the aircraft climbed to an altitude of 6500 feet, the pilot reported that the engine produced a loud noise, began to shake violently, and subsequently lost power. In response to this mechanical failure, the pilot executed a forced landing. During the landing sequence, the nose gear collapsed, and the propeller sustained damage.
The investigation
A post-accident examination of the engine revealed that the connecting rod in the number one cylinder had failed. Investigators noted that the anti-reversing tabs were bent flush with the connecting rod assembly, indicating a significant mechanical breakdown within the engine's internal components.