Accident Overview
An airplane experienced a loss of engine power during flight, necessitating a forced landing in a field. The aircraft sustained substantial damage upon impact with a fence and vegetation. The pilot reported minor injuries, while the passenger was uninjured.
Engine Examination
Post-accident inspection of the engine revealed that the number four cylinder's exhaust valve spring and valve had failed. The valve spring exhibited a 45-degree fracture approximately 0.75 inches from one end. The valve head had approximately one-third of its face fractured off, and a section of the valve head was found inside the cylinder. Indentations were noted on the valve head's face and the separated section.
Pilot Account
The pilot described the sequence of events: "With the lake to our west, a bunch of trees to our north, a house to our south behind us, when the engine quit. I chose to turn 90 degrees to the east, fly under some high tension wires, which I knew I could do safely, to a field on the other side. The field was not very wide, but I felt it was safer for landing without any houses close by. Being 200 to 300 feet above the ground, I didn't have the altitude to turn 180 degrees and land in the field below. I could not get stopped in the narrow field, so consequently we went through the barb wire fence on the east side and hit a clump of bushes with our left wing, which brought us to a stop."
Damage
The aircraft struck a barbed wire fence and a clump of bushes during the forced landing, resulting in substantial damage. The left wing was involved in the final impact with the bushes.