Synopsis
A night visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country flight ended with the airplane colliding with trees and swampy terrain after the pilot encountered engine power loss issues. The on-scene investigation revealed an intermittently firing left magneto as a contributing factor.
Flight History
The pilot reported that during the flight, the engine lost power. He then landed at a nearby airport to address the problem. Seeking a mechanic's assistance, the pilot found the cost to be prohibitive and decided to troubleshoot the issue himself. He performed a visual inspection of the engine and observed nothing unusual. Subsequently, he ran the engine for approximately 20 minutes at various RPM settings. After completing the run-up, the pilot departed and continued the cross-country flight.
Final Accident
While at cruise altitude, the engine began to lose power again. The pilot attempted remedial actions, but they did not restore power. The airplane subsequently collided with trees and swampy terrain.
Investigation Findings
An on-site investigation identified an intermittently firing left magneto as a mechanical anomaly present in the engine.