Sequence of Events
While en route, the pilot heard a repetitive loud knocking sound emanating from the engine. Concurrently, the exhaust gas temperature gage exhibited a rapid drop, and the engine began to surge. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot elected to make an emergency landing. Subsequently, an extremely loud bang was heard, and the upper part of the cowling blew open and backward toward the windshield. The pilot then switched the fuel selector to the off position, closed the throttle, pulled the mixture control to idle cut-off, and performed a forced landing on a road. During the landing roll, the right wing struck a pole located on the side of the road.
Postaccident Examination
Postaccident examination revealed that the #2 cylinder had fractured. Corrosion was visible on the fracture surfaces. Maintenance records indicated that the cylinder had been replaced with a reconditioned cylinder at the last annual inspection on May 1, 1994. The airplane had logged 65 hours since that inspection.