Forced/precautionary landing involving a Mooney M20J, VH-JDU, 59 km west-south-west of Wondai (ALA), Queensland, on 6 December 1996

The pilot reported that the aircraft was cruising at 7000 feet, when he heard a loud bang accompanied by severe vibration. He immediately transmitted a "Mayday". During a subsequent orbit, clear of cloud, the pilot saw a paddock with a likely landing strip. The throttle was closed and a glide approach commenced.

During the descent, the pilot noticed that the strip was obstructed with irrigation pipes. He then decided that the only viable alternative for a forced landing was on a nearby road. Vehicles were observed (headlights were on) travelling in the same direction and groups were widely spaced. During the landing roll (which was subsequently found to be downwind) the left wing struck a road speed sign at about 60 kts IAS.  The aircraft then slewed left off the road into a fence.

The pilot activated an Emergency Locator Transmitter which was fixed in the empennage. The transmissions were heard by the pilot of an overflying aircraft and reported to Brisbane Air Traffic Control.

The pilot later reported that the loss of power was due to a sudden failure of the No 3 cylinder barrel, occurring at the barrel to cylinder head shrink line.