Incident Summary
During a northbound departure from an airport, the pilot observed a puff of smoke. He immediately turned back toward the airport. While en route, the engine began to run roughly and subsequently quit. The pilot elected to perform a forced landing on a road. However, upon realizing he would not reach the road, he altered course to land in an adjacent field. During the approach to the field, the airplane struck an electrical wire. It then impacted the field and came to a stop.
Pilot Actions
The pilot reported noticing the smoke shortly after takeoff. He promptly reversed course and headed back to the airport. When the engine lost power, he identified a road as a potential landing site. After determining that the road was no longer attainable, he chose an open field as an alternative. The airplane contacted a power line before touching down in the field.
Examination Findings
A post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed that an oil line connecting the oil cooler to the engine case had ruptured near the rear of the engine. No other mechanical anomalies were noted.