Incident Overview
A pilot was flying the return leg of a personal cross-country flight in a rental airplane. While within six miles of a planned fuel stop airport at an altitude of 3,500 feet MSL, the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful, forcing him to land on unsuitable terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage during the landing, but the pilot was not injured.
Recovery and Examination
Following the forced landing, the airplane was abandoned at the remote desert site. Over several days, desert winds blew the airplane upside down. The aircraft was eventually retrieved by helicopter. After recovery, the airplane and its engine underwent a thorough examination. No discrepancies were found during the engine examination. However, because the airplane had lain upside down for several days, no fuel was available for testing or quantifying. The pilot reported that at the time of the power loss, he had been flying for 2.5 hours.