Incident Overview
During a cross-country flight, the pilot encountered a sudden loss of engine power while cruising. The pilot initiated a forced landing procedure and selected a field for the landing.
Approach and Touchdown
On short final approach to the selected field, the pilot's control yoke broke in the pilot's hand. This occurred while maneuvering for the landing. As a result, the airplane touched down in a nose-down attitude.
Post-Impact Damage
Upon touchdown, the nose landing gear collapsed. The right wing and fuselage sustained structural damage. The extent of the damage required further assessment.
Investigation
An investigation was conducted to determine the reasons for the loss of engine power and the fracture of the yoke assembly. However, despite the examination, the specific causes could not be determined.