The airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing at approximately 0730 Mountain time following a loss of engine power. The Private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
According to the pilot, while in cruise flight approximately 8500 feet msl, the pilot heard a “loud bang” and the engine oil pressure decreased. Shortly thereafter, engine oil was noted on the windscreen and the engine lost power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted terrain, separating the nose and right main landing gears and buckling the right wing.
