Incident
During cruise flight, the pilot heard a loud noise and observed smoke emanating from the engine area. In response, the pilot secured the engine and entered a power-off glide. The pilot subsequently landed the airplane in rough, uneven terrain. During the landing, the nosegear collapsed and the airplane nosed over.
Examination
Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the alternator had seized, which caused the drive belt to break. The airplane's engine and accessories had been replaced with overhauled components approximately 25 flight hours prior to the accident.
Further examination of the alternator showed that a bearing in the alternator had been installed backward during the overhaul process. This improper installation led to the alternator seizing, resulting in the drive belt failure.
Cause
The accident was caused by a bearing in the alternator that had been installed backward during the overhaul process, leading to alternator seizure and subsequent drive belt breakage.