20220820014849A

The aircraft was found oriented to the north in a field. It appears to have come in from the west and slid approximately 230 feet from the initial point of impact. The propeller does not appear to have been under power at the moment of impact. The left wing has substantial damage to it at the wing tip. It appears to have been the first point of contact. At the time of impact the landing gear was extended, the nose wheel broke off approximately 30 feet from the initial impact point. The engine broke loose from its engine mounts and was oriented upside down, still attached to the aircraft via wiring. The aircraft was oriented upright, resting on its belly. The aircraft has substantial damage to the fuselage, left and right wings, nose landing gear, windscreen propeller and engine.

The following maintenance occurred just prior to the flight: right and left spark plugs checked and cleaned, the points on both magnetos cleaned, timing checked, removed the left magneto, injectors cleaned. An engine run was accomplished with no discrepancies noted. During the engine run the engine EGT‘s exhaust EGT‘s oil temperatures, were all within limits as well as during the fight.

PIC and SIC decided to take the aircraft on a test flight due to the intermittent nature of the issue.

PIC and SIC indicated that they were at approximately 1500 feet AGL when the aircraft engine made a rapid vibration noise, then a loud bang, proceeded by the propeller immediately stopping.

Once the engine stopped they immediately began searching for an appropriate place to land the aircraft. They chose a recently harvested field, although small it appeared to be the safest place to land rather than us 95 due to truck traffic. Adjoining fields were hop fields and were not a safe place to attempt an emergency landing. Aircraft approached from the north west, attempted a 180° turn to shed altitude. The flaps and landing gear were lowered and set up to land in the field in an easterly direction towards us 95. It became apparent they were not going to touchdown a safe distance from a ditch and us 95. An attempt was made to turn to the north, to attempt a landing oriented along the rows of the plowed field. At approximately 5 feet AGL the aircraft stall horn sounded the turn was continued and a stall occurred. The left wing struck the ground first, the aircraft came to rest approximately 230 feet from the initial point of impact. The aircraft engine had broken loose from its mounts and was resting inverted compared to the rest of the aircraft which was upright. The left wing and fuselage have substantial damage. Inspection of the aircraft determined that the tanks had fuel in them.

The PIC suffered a laceration to his hand. The SIC suffered a deep laceration to his left elbow and his forehead on the left-hand side, his right knee sustained a laceration as well. The left arm needed 15 staples his forehead required 20 stitches and a couple of stiches were on his right shin.

Closer inspection of the engine indicates that the number 1 piston connecting rod cap seperated and broke through the top of the engine. A tear down of the engine is required to determine the cause of the engine failure.