What happened
The pilot, who held a total of 10,000 flight hours, was operating the aircraft during a maneuvering phase when the engine abruptly lost power. In response to the mechanical failure, the pilot initiated an emergency forced landing procedure targeting a nearby open field.
During the subsequent landing roll, the aircraft's main landing gear sank deeply into the muddy terrain. This loss of ground support caused the airplane to nose over, ultimately coming to rest in an inverted position on the ground.
The investigation
A thorough examination of the radial engine was conducted following the accident. The inspection revealed a significant structural failure within the powerplant. Specifically, the number nine cylinder head was found to be cracked in the area between both sparkplugs.
Findings
The sudden loss of engine power during the maneuvering phase was directly linked to the mechanical defect identified in the radial engine. The cracked cylinder head compromised the engine's ability to maintain power output, necessitating the emergency landing. The muddy conditions of the landing site contributed to the severity of the ground impact and the final inverted position of the aircraft.