Accident Overview
A Cessna 172, operated by a student pilot who was also the owner, departed on a solo cross-country flight. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot reported a loss of engine power and executed an off-airport forced landing in a plowed field. The aircraft touched down and rolled approximately 200 feet before the nose wheel dug into the soft terrain, causing the airplane to nose over.
Post-Accident Examination
During the post-accident examination, the engine was disassembled. Investigators found approximately one pint of oil inside the engine. Three connecting rods were tight and dry, indicating a lack of lubrication. No evidence of oil leakage from the engine was discovered. The oil pump had not failed, and all oil lines were tight and had been pressure-checked to 220 psi. The spark plugs exhibited normal ignition signatures, and there was no evidence of blowby.
Findings
The examination did not reveal any pre-existing mechanical failures such as oil pump malfunction, oil line leakage, or abnormal combustion. The evidence pointed to oil starvation as the reason for the engine power loss, though the source of the oil loss could not be determined from the engine components examined.