Incident Overview
During a telephone conversation with an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector, the pilot reported that during the climb, the engine cylinder head temperature gauge exceeded 500°F. The pilot immediately turned back to the departure airport. While on the downwind leg for the landing runway, the engine lost power. The airplane immediately lost altitude, cleared a tree line in the path to the runway, but impacted the terrain hard in a base-to-final flight path near the runway threshold.
Post-Accident Observations
After exiting the airplane, the pilot observed an engine cowl plug installed on the right side of the engine cowl and removed it. The right wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The FAA inspector traveled to the accident site and observed the left cowl plug melted onto the engine cylinders. The right cowl plug was found on the ground near the airplane.
Pilot Report
The pilot did not report any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot failed to submit the NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report.