Flight History
The pilot was conducting a night cross-country training flight. About five minutes after departing from an en route airport, the engine began operating roughly. The pilot decided to reverse course and head back to the departure airport. During the return, the engine continued to produce partial power. While the pilot was maneuvering the aircraft to land on runway 18, the engine lost all power.
Emergency Landing
Faced with a complete loss of engine power, the pilot performed an emergency landing in a plowed field located approximately one-quarter mile from the airport. As the aircraft touched down, the nose gear sank into the soft soil, causing the nose landing gear to dig in and the aircraft to nose over.
Engine Examination
An examination of the engine after the incident revealed that the hold-down bolts securing the number three cylinder to the crankcase had fractured. This resulted in the cylinder separating from the crankcase. No other anomalies were reported.