Incident Overview
During cruise flight, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The flight instructor on board attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. The airplane subsequently executed a forced landing in high desert terrain. During the landing roll, the nose wheel collided with a bush and collapsed.
Post-Accident Inspection
An inspection of the engine revealed that the balljoint assembly connecting the mixture control cable to the mixture arm on the carburetor had separated. This mechanical separation likely rendered the mixture control inoperative, though the source does not explicitly state a causal link.
Maintenance History
The airplane had undergone an annual inspection just 10 flight hours prior to the accident. The inspection's scope and findings are not detailed in the source.
Grounding Note
No other factors such as weather, ATC involvement, or pilot qualifications are mentioned in the source. The aircraft type, registration, and occupant details are not specified.