What happened
The pilot was conducting flight operations at a cruise altitude of 3,700 feet mean sea level. During this phase of flight, he initiated a power reduction procedure in preparation for descending to an altitude of 3,000 feet. At the moment the throttle was adjusted, the engine ceased operation suddenly and completely. The pilot reported hearing a loud bang coinciding with the loss of power.
The investigation
Following the incident, investigators examined the aircraft's fuel systems and electrical components to determine the root cause of the failure. No anomalies were detected within these systems that could account for the sudden shutdown. To further isolate the issue, the engine was removed from the aircraft and subjected to a test stand evaluation.
Findings
The test stand operation demonstrated that the engine functioned normally under controlled conditions. Subsequently, the engine was disassembled for a detailed internal inspection. No mechanical defects or damage were identified during this process. The engine was reassembled and returned to service without any further issues being noted. The investigation concluded that the failure was not attributable to fuel supply problems or electrical system malfunctions.