Flight and Initial Events
According to the pilot, the preflight, taxi, and runup were normal. After takeoff, he retracted the landing gear and climbed to 2000 feet mean sea level. Once steady on his outbound heading, the pilot reduced RPM. His normal control input for RPM reduction resulted in a too-large power reduction, associated first with a rough engine and then a loss of engine sounds.
Response to Power Loss
The pilot lowered the airplane's nose, changed fuel tanks, checked individual magnetos, and turned back toward the airport. At this time, he believed he heard a knock, and shortly thereafter the propeller stopped windmilling.
Forced Landing
With his attention focused on selecting a field for landing, the pilot altered his initial field choice due to some trees. When he saw that he had his alternate field made, he selected the landing gear down. The pilot stated that the landing gear did not have enough time to extend. The airplane slid on a mowed hay field for approximately 300 feet.