Incident Overview
During an approach to the destination airport, the pilot notified the air traffic control tower controller that his engine had failed but that he intended to try to land at the airport. The controller cleared the pilot to land on runway 3, to which the pilot replied that he was unsure if he could make it.
Witness Observations
A witness, who was the pilot of an emergency services (EMS) helicopter, heard the tower communications regarding an airplane in distress and followed the airplane to provide assistance. The witness noted that the airplane was extremely low and its propeller was not turning.
Final Moments
The aircraft cleared a tree line approximately 200 yards south of the eventual crash site and continued descending into a clearing. Several seconds later, the airplane entered an estimated 20-degree bank to the left, impacted trees, and exploded. An open field was observed adjacent to the wooded area where the airplane came to rest.
Engine Examination
After the accident, the engine was completely disassembled. No pre-impact anomalies were observed. However, all engine accessories were severely damaged by fire and could not be tested. A review of the engine logbook revealed that the engine was 511 hours and about one year beyond the engine manufacturer's recommended time between overhauls.