Incident Overview
A private pilot with 200 hours of flight experience was conducting a local sightseeing flight. Approximately twenty minutes after departure, the pilot reported hearing a loud bang, followed by the engine running rough and losing power. The pilot identified a private airport within close range and flew directly to it under partial power.
Approach and Landing
Due to being high on approach, the pilot decided to fly a circular pattern to lose altitude. After aligning with the runway, the airplane remained too high to land. The pilot then deployed full flaps and executed a slip to descend. Realizing the airplane would overshoot the runway, the pilot pulled up and applied full power. However, the engine continued to run rough, and the airplane continued losing airspeed and altitude.
The pilot opted for another approach from the opposite direction, approaching approximately 25 degrees to the right of the runway. Full flaps and a steep approach were used to lose altitude. The airplane touched down approximately two-thirds of the way down the 2,700-foot turf runway.
Post-Landing Sequence
After touchdown, the pilot applied both brakes. The airplane skidded to the right, causing the right wing to contact a hangar. The airplane then nosed over and came to rest in an upright position.
Engine Examination
A subsequent examination of the engine revealed a crack at the number one cylinder.