Primary finding
Probable cause
The failure of an intake valve and the poorly executed forced landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During a pleasure cross country flight, the airplane began to shake and the engine rpm decreased. The pilot diverted to a nearby runway and landed downwind. After the airplane touched down, it bounced and continued to bounce the length of the runway. The airplane finally settled as it ran off the end of the runway and continued to travel through a barbed wire fence and beehive boxes before coming to rest. Post-crash inspection of the engine revealed that the number 4 intake valve was broken. Due to damage of the fracture ends, the failure mode was not determined.
Source record
Factual narrative
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