Incident Summary
A forced landing was conducted off airport after the airplane experienced a loss of engine power. The nose gear collapsed during the landing, and the airplane came to rest on its engine cowling and main landing gear.
Pilot Actions
The pilot reported that while en route to the destination, the engine power dropped to 1,300 rpm. The pilot applied carburetor heat, turned on the auxiliary fuel pump, and switched fuel tanks, but these actions did not restore power. The passenger checked the engine instruments, which were all normal. The pilot contacted the Willow Run Air Traffic Control Tower and informed them of the situation, stating an intention to land at their airport. After turning toward the airport, the pilot determined that reaching it was not possible and selected a plowed field for landing.
Landing and Damage
The landing in the plowed field resulted in the nose gear collapsing. The airplane came to rest on the engine cowling and main landing gear. The extent of damage beyond these components was not detailed.
Engine Examination
Post-incident examination of the engine revealed that the #2 cylinder exhaust valve had broken off, and a piece of the #2 cylinder was missing. Portions of the exhaust valve and valve stem were recovered from the engine. Visual examination showed that the fractured surfaces were deformed and obscured by impact damage, making it impossible to determine the failure mode.