20120303021289A

The pilot reported engine trouble while enroute from georgetown, SC (kgge) to hagerstown, MD (khgr) and asked for descent to 5000'. Approaching 5.000' the engine lost power and the pilot executed an emergency landing in a pasture. The pilot attempted to put the aircraft between two trees. The left wing struck a tree and was detached. The aircraft impacted a large gate, caught fire, and came to a stop approximately 90' from the impact point. The aircraft was destroyed in the post crash fire. The pilot was taken to warrenton hospital (warrenton, VA) , and the passenger (wife) was taken to uva hospital icu (charlottesville, VA) with serious burns. The pilot believed engine trouble may have been due to fuel issue or severe turbulence. The onsite investigation, along with information provided by ATC and a follow-on interview with the pilot did not provide any conclusive evidence as to the cause of the power loss. Review of the aircraft logbooks revealed that the airplane's most recent annual inspection was completed on September 1, 2011. At that time, the airframe and engine had accumulated 1,1,54.5 total hours of operation since new. The airplane had flown approximately 60 hours from the time of the most recent annual inspection, until the accident. The aircraft was airworthy prior to this accident. The NTSB had the engine examined following recovery. After a review of the examination a conclusive determination of what caused this engine to lose power cannot be determined due to the extensive damage to the aircraft and engine.