Incident Details
A private pilot and his son were conducting an instrument flight rules (IFR) personal cross-country flight in the pilot's airplane. During the flight, the pilot reported a loss of engine power to air traffic control. He descended from his cruise altitude of 9,000 feet mean sea level (msl) and attempted to reach an airport that the air traffic controller had directed him towards. Unable to reach the airport, he stated that he would land on a roadway. However, he did not reach the roadway and instead landed in a tree-covered swamp. The airplane collided with several trees and came to rest in a steep, nose-down attitude. The smell of fuel was present in the area, and both wing fuel tanks had been breached, allowing fuel to flow out.
Investigation
Inspection of the airframe and engine disclosed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical problems. The engine was removed to a test facility, where, after minor repairs, it was successfully run to full-rated revolutions per minute (rpm) and horsepower.
Probable Cause
Not provided in the source.