What happened
While operating in the cruise phase of flight, the aircraft's engine began to exhibit irregular performance, characterized by a rough running condition and a noticeable reduction in power. The pilot reported hearing a loud metallic noise accompanied by intense vibrations throughout the airframe. Following this mechanical disturbance, the engine lost power entirely.
In response to the engine failure, the pilot executed an emergency forced landing into a farm field. Upon impact with the soft ground, the aircraft nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings.
Findings
An inspection of the engine following the accident provided several key details regarding the mechanical failure. Investigators found that the crankshaft was unable to rotate. While an examination of the spark plugs and the internal components of the cylinders showed no obvious reason for the loss of power, a review of the oil system revealed the presence of large amounts of metal particles within the oil. Due to the unavailability of appropriate facilities and specialized equipment at the site, the engine was not disassembled further to identify the specific source of the metallic debris.