THE PIC SAID THERE WAS A LOUD METALLIC EXPLOSION IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHEN THE ACFT WAS ABOUT 7 MILES FROM THE DESTINATION APT AND BEGINNING A DESCENT. THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN VIBRATING VIOLENTLY AND THE WINDSHIELD BECAME COVERED WITH ENGINE OIL. ATTEMPTS WERE MADE BY THE CONTROL TOWER TO VECTOR THE ACFT TO THE AIRPORT, BUT THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO MAKE VISUAL CONTACT. HE ELECTED TO LAND ON A LIGHTED CITY STREET. HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND BEYOND A POINT WHERE TRAFFIC WAS WAITING FOR A SIGNAL TO CHANGE, BUT AS HE PASSED BY THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS THE TRAFFIC BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD. HE APPLIED FULL FLAPS PULLED BACK ON THE CONTROL WHEEL, BALLOONED BACK INTO THE AIR, STRUCK SOME WIRES, THEN HIT THE TERRAIN AND SLID TO STOP, SIDEWAYS, MINUS THE LDG GEAR. THE GEAR HAD BEEN SHEARED OFF. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO A CONNECTING ROD.