Preliminary Report: Caravan engine quits

Cessna Caravan 208B, Greensburg, Ind., June 1, 2008–The Skydive Greensburg Caravan was at 7,000 feet msl, with 14 skydivers aboard, when the pilot heard an explosion followed by a metal grinding noise coming from the engine. The airplane vibrated and smoke filled the cabin. The engine quit and the pilot shut off
the fuel and tried to eliminate the smoke. He leveled the airplane at 5,000 feet and selected 20 degrees of flap so that the skydivers could jump from the airplane. He decided to land at Greensburg-Decatur County Airport, but was too high on approach and nosed over in a cornfield beyond the runway. He was not injured.