The airplane experienced a loss of engine power and force-landed on a highway at 1315 Pacific time. The private pilot was not injured, but the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed.
The pilot later stated the airplane’s climb performance felt sluggish as he performed a go-around. After he raised the flaps, at between 600-800 feet agl, the engine appeared to stop completely. The pilot landed on a nearby highway and the right wing impacted a road sign before the airplane came to a halt on the side of the road.