Incident Overview
During cruise flight, the engine began to vibrate severely and then "exploded," according to the pilot. The pilot configured the airplane for gliding and selected a field for a forced landing. While on final approach to the intended landing surface, the airplane collided with transmission lines. It continued descending and touched down hard on the field.
Mechanical Findings
Post-incident examination revealed that the top spark plug was absent from the right rear cylinder—identified as the number one cylinder. Additionally, several ignition leads were found loose. The engine had undergone its annual inspection only 1.97 hours before the accident.
Pilot's Perspective
The pilot expressed the opinion that the accident could have been prevented if the spark plug had been tightened or properly torqued during the recent inspection.
Additional Context
No further details regarding the aircraft type, registration, or occupant status were provided in the source material.