The aircraft was to be ferried out of the path of an approaching cyclone. Shortly after takeoff the pilot heard a loud noise and the engine began to vibrate violently. He turned the aircraft towards the only available area and transmitted a "Mayday" call. During the turn, oil began to stream over the windscreen from the rear of the engine. The area selected for landing was about 600 metres long and surrounded by low trees. The approach was high and fast and the aircraft was still airborne as it approached the end of the area. The pilot elected to stall the aircraft into the trees. The engine crankshaft was severely damaged on the No 4 and 5 big-end journals, consistent with a loss of oil, seizure of the bearings and eventual failure of the connecting rods. An explanation for the loss of oil supply to those bearings could not be established, however, it is likely that the bearings were able to spin in their mounts which blocked off those oil feeder holes. This accident was not the subject of an on-site investigation.
