Smoke and Engine Failure Lead to Forced Landing and Post-Impact Fire (N82568)

Incident Summary

A pilot reported experiencing smoke in the cockpit and unusual engine noise while maneuvering at low altitude to capture video of wildlife. The engine subsequently stopped producing power. The pilot was unable to locate a suitable forced landing area and executed a landing in dense vegetation and trees. Upon impact, the airplane caught fire and was destroyed.

Pilot Report

The pilot stated that after the forced landing, he observed a connecting rod protruding from the engine crankcase. He could not determine which specific connecting rod had failed. The aircraft and engine logbooks were destroyed in the post-impact fire.

Engine Failure

The engine failure was evidenced by a connecting rod that had penetrated the crankcase. The pilot noted that the engine had been making significant noise prior to the power loss. The exact cause of the connecting rod failure could not be established due to the destruction of the logbooks and the aircraft itself.