Accident
The pilot reported that while in cruise flight at approximately 3,500 feet, the engine lost power. The propeller continued to windmill, and all seemed normal except for the lack of power. The pilot used his GPS receiver to search for an airport within gliding distance but found none. He notified air traffic control and selected a wheat stubble field for landing. During the approach, the aircraft was low and had to avoid a tree. The pilot swung too wide and the aircraft touched down in corn that was 10 to 12 feet tall. The landing was hard, causing the nose wheel to break off and the left landing gear to break. The aircraft came to rest with the left wing tip on the ground.
Investigation
During a postaccident examination, the engine was visually inspected and a run-up was conducted. The engine would only run when the mixture control was set to an excessively lean position. The carburetor was flow-checked, and the results were within specifications. Inspection of the carburetor did not reveal any mechanical discrepancy.
Neither the aircraft type, registration, nor operator were specified in the source. No injuries were reported.