Incident Overview
An airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing on a road. According to the pilot, while in level flight, the engine "blew up." The pilot executed a forced landing on a road and chose to delay lowering the landing gear until the aircraft had cleared a car traveling in the opposite direction. Once clear of the car, the pilot lowered the landing gear, but it did not fully extend due to the low altitude.
Engine Examination
Post-incident examination of the engine revealed a hole in the crankcase adjacent to the number 6 connecting rod journal. Additionally, the number 6 connecting rod and piston were found fractured. No determination could be made regarding the cause of the connecting rod failure.
Damage
The aircraft sustained substantial damage as a result of the forced landing.