Incident Overview
A certified flight instructor (CFI) and a rated student were conducting a local instrument training and aircraft familiarization flight. After leveling at an altitude of 1,500 feet, the engine suddenly and without warning lost power. The CFI assumed control of the aircraft and initiated emergency procedures in an attempt to restart the engine while simultaneously searching for a suitable field for a forced landing.
Forced Landing and Post-Impact
The aircraft flew under power lines, touched down on a busy highway, went through a barbed wire fence, collided with a ditch, and came to rest in an open pasture. The forced landing sequence involved multiple obstacles before the aircraft finally stopped in the pasture.
Investigation Findings
An on-site investigation and a limited teardown inspection of the engine were conducted. These examinations confirmed that the loss of engine power was not due to an internal failure of the engine. Despite the investigation, the nature or cause of the power loss could not be determined or duplicated.