Incident Overview
Approximately 30 to 35 minutes into the flight, while at a cruising altitude of 9,500 feet mean sea level, the engine began to lose power. The pilot attempted to resolve the issue by applying and removing carburetor heat, adjusting the fuel mixture, switching fuel tanks, and selecting each magneto separately. Despite these efforts, the power loss continued, with the engine RPM dropping to 1,000 by the end of the flight.
Forced Landing
Recognizing that a forced landing was inevitable, the pilot selected a landing area described as "level and forested with coniferous trees." The airplane touched down in a clearing. During the landing roll, the nose wheel separated from the aircraft, causing the nose to pitch down.
Post-Accident Examination
A post-accident examination of the engine and airframe was conducted. The examination did not reveal any reason for the loss of engine power.
Summary
The flight experienced an unexplained loss of engine power during cruise. Pilot actions to restore power were unsuccessful. The subsequent forced landing resulted in separation of the nose wheel and a nose-down attitude. The exact cause of the power loss remains undetermined.