Incident Summary
During a flight, the commercial pilot reported hearing a 'loud cannon-like sound' emanating from the engine, after which the engine completely lost power. The pilot executed a forced landing in a soft field. During the landing rollout, the main landing gear sank into the soft ground, and the airplane came to rest with the propeller spinner buried in the ground.
Fire and Destruction
Following the landing, fuel from the fuel tank located on the top wing dripped down the cowling into the engine compartment, where it ignited. A post-impact fire ensued, which completely destroyed the airplane.
Investigation Findings
A detailed examination and teardown of the engine were conducted to determine the cause of the power loss. However, the examination failed to disclose any anomalies that would have prevented normal engine operation. No definitive cause for the engine failure was identified.