N57836

On June 20, 1996, at 0830 central daylight time, a Piper PA-36-300, N57836, registered to and operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 137, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Littlefield, Texas. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight that originated 15 minutes before the accident. A flight plan was not filed.

The pilot reported that he made one pass over the field he intended to spray. When he lined up to make the second pass, the "engine shook fiercely and locked down." A forced landing was performed to the field. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted a terrace and became airborne. The airplane landed again a "short distance away and came to a stop." During the impact with the terrace, the landing gear separated from the aircraft and the fuselage sustained structural damage.

Post-crash examination of the engine by the operator revealed that the loss of engine power was attributed to the failure of the number 5 and 6 connecting rods which had penetrated the engine case.