What happened
Following takeoff, the pilot performed throttle adjustments that indicated no mechanical issues; the engine continued to operate normally and the Cessna (type not specified in source) maintained a steady climb rate. However, the situation changed when the pilot reduced the propeller RPM to 2400, at which point the manifold pressure dropped dramatically to 20 inches.
The pilot attempted to recover the lost pressure by advancing the propeller lever to the full forward position and advancing the throttle to the full forward position, but these actions had no effect on the manifold pressure. As the aircraft continued its descent, the pilot completed emergency procedures before the airplane impacted a stand of trees. There were no injuries reported in this incident.
The investigation
A post-accident examination of the airframe and engine assemblies was conducted. Investigators found no discrepancies within the examined components.