Incident Overview
A pilot reported that while on a night cross-country flight, the engine RPM suddenly dropped, and he was unable to maintain altitude. He immediately squawked 7700 and asked the flight service to identify the nearest airport. As the pilot approached the airport, he made a throttle reduction, and the engine quit. He then attempted an emergency landing on a road approximately half a mile north of the airport. During the attempt, his left wing grazed the roof of a car. The pilot successfully landed the aircraft on the road.
Postaccident Inspection
A postaccident inspection of the engine revealed that the head of the No. 2 cylinder exhaust valve had separated from the stem. This finding was documented but no further causal analysis was provided in the report.
Additional Details
The flight occurred at night, and the pilot was on a cross-country route. No other details about the aircraft, pilot, or exact location were specified in the source. The emergency landing was executed on a road, and the aircraft sustained minor contact with a vehicle. No injuries or further damage were mentioned.