What happened
A Lycoming O-235-C1 powered airplane was operating from a private airstrip when the pilot completed four touch-and-go landings before departing north. During the return leg of the flight, the engine began to sputter. The pilot attempted to remedy the issue by enriching the fuel mixture, which temporarily restored smooth engine operation. Shortly after, the engine sputtered again. Despite fuel gauges indicating levels between one-quarter and one-half full, and the pilot attempting to clear potential issues by rocking the wings, the engine suffered a complete loss of power after 2.5 hours of flight.
Unable to reach the intended airstrip, the pilot performed an emergency landing on a county road. During the descent and landing, the aircraft struck telephone wires and a steel post located alongside the road, which caused the left wing to be torn off. The pilot was not injured in the accident.
The investigation
During the investigation, it was noted that the original Continental C-65 engine had been replaced with the Lycoming O-235-C1 engine. Upon inspection of the wreckage, salvage crews drained 2.5 gallons of fuel from the right tank. While the pilot stated there should have been an additional 2.5 gallons remaining in the left tank, the investigation focused on the engine's performance. The engine was subsequently subjected to a functional test at full power.