Accident Sequence
The aircraft was descending from 8,500 feet when the pilot felt a shudder and the engine began to sound rough. The manifold pressure dropped slightly, and the fuel flow gauge decreased from 21 to 10 gallons per hour. The pilot maintained a slow descent, activated the boost pump, and switched to a different fuel tank. Engine manifold pressure then increased, and fuel flow rose to 15 gph. As the aircraft descended through 2,500 feet, smoke entered the cockpit, and the pilot observed flames emanating from the engine cowling vents. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a grass field. During the landing roll, the left wing struck a tree, and the aircraft went through two fences, crossed a road, and came to rest in a plowed field.
Examination Findings
Post-accident examination of the engine revealed that the number 2 cylinder fuel injector line had broken. The broken line had sprayed fuel onto the turbocharger. Metallurgical examination of the fuel injector line determined that the separation was the result of fatigue cracking, which originated from a damaged area on the fuel line. Airworthiness Directive 93-02-05, which requires inspection of fuel injector fuel lines, had been complied with 39 flight hours before the accident.