What happened
While maintaining a cruising altitude of 24,000 feet, the pilot noticed a steady decline in manifold pressure alongside a reduction in engine oil pressure, which moved from normal levels into the caution range. In response to these indications, the pilot requested and was granted vectors to divert to a nearby airport for a landing before reaching the intended destination.
As the aircraft began its descent, the oil pressure continued to diminish until it reached zero, resulting in a complete loss of engine power. Although the pilot successfully identified the airfield through the overcast cloud layer, the lack of engine thrust made it impossible to reach the runway. The aircraft ultimately struck a group of trees approximately 1,200 feet from the airport perimeter.
Findings
Investigations into the mechanical state of the aircraft revealed that all six engine cylinder assemblies had been replaced just seven hours before the incident occurred. Despite a detailed inspection of the engine components and the turbochargers, investigators were unable to identify the specific source of the oil loss that led to the engine failure.