What happened
While climbing toward cruise altitude, the airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power. The pilot assessed the situation and determined that continuing the flight was not possible. Consequently, he elected to perform a forced landing with the landing gear retracted on a nearby road.
After touchdown, the aircraft drifted to the right side of the runway surface. This drift caused the airplane to impact a line of trees, resulting in significant damage to the airframe and engine components.
The investigation
A post-accident examination of the aircraft was conducted to determine the mechanical cause of the power loss. Investigators found that the upper deck pressure line within the engine assembly had been chafed. This damage likely compromised the line's integrity, leading to the reported reduction in engine performance during the climb phase.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was the partial loss of engine power due to mechanical failure. The subsequent forced landing on a road, combined with the drift into trees, resulted in the final damage state of the aircraft.