Oh really, like any engine that has to work too hard it doesnt last the course. Ask Ford on their Eco burst engines. The engine does know the weight which is why it needs to develop so much horsepower to get the tub off the ground. You answered the question " it wont fly readily " . It has always been Enstrom's problem

The Ford Ecoboom engines suffer from having a “wet belt” drive for the camshaft and the oil pump. Rubber belts cooking in hot engine oil? Who thought that one up?

Modern 'twins' are incomparable to those 2 particular types in terms of OEI performance - need to be resigned to the vaults of 'when I was........'
For a 'single' to fly over such an area as depicted still feels alien to those of us in UK LA LA land; irrespective if PVT or CAT, as you still have to fly at a suitable altitude etc etc unless specifically cleared.

Any updates?
 

Does anyone have any updates on the likely cause of this crash? Seems to have gone quiet.