NEAR OCALA, FL, USA
N2VB
MAULE M-5-220C
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING FLIGHT, THE ENGINE STOPPED AND THE COCKPIT FILLED WITH SMOKE. HE SHUT DOWN FUEL TO THE ENGINE AND STARTED TO GLIDE TOWARD AN AIRPORT, BUT IT WAS TOO FAR AWAY. HE THEN SELECTED A FIELD, BUT HAD TO STAY HIGH ON FINAL APPROACH TO AVOID A TV ANTENNA. THE FIELD SLOPED DOWNHILL AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO SLOW THE PLANE ENOUGH TO STOP BEFORE THE END. THEREFORE, HE PULLED THE PLANE UP AND CAME TO REST IN A TREE TOP. THE DOORS WERE JAMMED, SO HE BROKE OUT A WINDOW WITH HIS HANDS. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE CLIMBED OUT AND DOWN A TREE, BUT THE PASSENGER (HIS WIFE) REMAINED IN THE TREE AND WAITED TO BE RESCUED. SHE WENT TO A HOSPITAL WHERE GASOLINE WAS RINSED OFF AND SHE WAS EXAMINED. A TEARDOWN OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE #3 PISTON PIN, FRANKLIN PN 20504F, HAD FAILED. THE ENGINE HAD A TOTAL OF 367 HRS FLYING TIME.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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