Accident Narrative
During a descent from 3,000 feet to 1,500 feet, the pilot attempted to level the airplane by increasing throttle. However, engine power did not respond, and the airplane continued to descend. The pilot initiated a forced landing, during which the airplane struck trees and terrain. Witnesses reported hearing the engine producing "popping" and "sputtering" sounds as the airplane descended.
Engine Examination
After the accident, the engine was removed from the airframe and subjected to a test run. The first test revealed varying interruptions of power; when the throttle was advanced to full, the engine achieved a maximum of 1,450 rpm. Troubleshooting identified that all six fuel injector lines were loosely attached to the fuel manifold valve. Following tightening of these connections, the engine operated without power interruptions and reached a maximum rpm of 2,644.
Maintenance History
Maintenance records showed that significant maintenance had been performed on the engine 7 months and 246 flight hours before the accident. Additionally, four of the six fuel injector nozzles had been replaced approximately 6 months prior to the accident flight.