Accident Sequence
During cruise flight, the engine suddenly lost power. The pilot, a private pilot with 123 hours of flight experience, stated that the engine "suddenly stopped producing power." He attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. During the subsequent forced landing, the pilot reported that "strong surface winds came up." The airplane impacted the terrain approximately 450 feet short of the runway, then struck trees, a fence, and two poles before coming to rest on the runway surface.
Examination of the Engine
Examination of the engine revealed that the crankshaft bolt and crankshaft dowel pin had fractured and failed. The fracture surfaces on the bolt displayed signatures consistent with fatigue. At the time of the accident, the engine had accumulated approximately 576 hours since its last major overhaul.
Pilot Information
The pilot, a private pilot, had 123 hours of total flight experience. No further pilot or flight information was provided.