Incident Overview
A pilot experienced a complete loss of engine power while cruising at 9,500 feet mean sea level (msl) after flying for 1.6 hours. The pilot executed a forced landing in soft desert terrain, during which the airplane abruptly decelerated in a nose-down attitude.
Pilot's Account
According to the pilot, the airplane's fuel tanks were full at the start of the flight. En route, the sky was clear of clouds. When the power loss occurred, the pilot reported a "slight shudder" and noticed that the engine sound dropped to idle. The pilot applied full carburetor heat, enriched the mixture, and repositioned the fuel selector to the "both tanks" position. Despite these actions, engine power was not restored, and the propeller continued rotating at idle speed throughout the forced landing.
Post-Accident Examination
The airplane's engine was examined after the incident. When run up to full power, no evidence of any mechanical abnormality was found.
Cause Determination
The cause of the nonmechanical loss of engine power was not determined.