What happened
The pilot was operating the aircraft on a flight back to the departure airport when the engine suddenly sputtered. The engine revolutions per minute (RPM) dropped to a very low level, indicating a significant loss of power. In response to the emergency, the pilot immediately applied carburetor heat in an attempt to restore normal engine operation. However, the application of heat produced no change in the engine's performance.
With the engine unable to sustain flight, the pilot was forced to execute an emergency landing in an adjacent corn field. The impact caused the aircraft to nosed over upon touchdown. Following the accident, a thorough operational check was conducted on the aircraft. This inspection revealed no mechanical problems or defects that could explain the sudden loss of power during the flight.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft following the incident to determine the cause of the engine failure. An operational check was performed to verify the mechanical condition of the engine and its systems. The results of this check showed that there were no mechanical problems found with the aircraft's hardware.