Accident Details
The airplane was cruising at 4,500 feet mean sea level approximately 15 miles north of Bloomington, Indiana, when it began to vibrate excessively. The pilot observed that the oil pressure gauge indicated zero pressure. In response, the pilot shut down the engine and initiated a forced landing to a field.
As the airplane began to settle, the pilot noticed a guard rail adjacent to a road ahead. Attempting to clear the rail, the pilot pulled back on the controls, but the aircraft lacked sufficient airspeed to overcome the obstacle. The airplane struck the guard rail and came to a stop. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane before it caught fire and was engulfed in flames.
Engine Examination
Subsequent examination of the engine revealed that the connecting rods for cylinders number 5 and 6 were broken. A hole measuring six inches by four inches was found in the top of the engine crankcase, located above the number 5 and number 6 cylinders. The damage was consistent with a catastrophic internal engine failure.