History of Flight
On July 5, 2011, about 1900 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna R182 (registration N7392X) collided with a tree during an off-airport forced landing following a loss of engine power. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage from impact forces.
The personal cross-country flight departed Hesperia, California, about 1855, with a planned destination of Adelanto, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
The pilot stated that he had flown from Adelanto to Hesperia earlier that evening and purchased about 29 gallons of fuel. During the climb to cruise, the airplane was unable to climb, and the pilot turned back toward the airport. He flew into a valley and realized the airplane would not make it back to the airport. He saw power lines in his flight path and turned toward an open field. The airplane hit the ground hard, then struck a tree, which separated the right wing from the airframe. Fuel spray from the wing set a car on fire. The airplane spun around and came to rest with the nose on the ground, and the left wing and tail resting against a house.
Examination of Wreckage
Investigators examined the wreckage at Aircraft Recovery Service in Littlerock, California, on July 14, 2011. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
The muffler was disassembled, revealing that one cone-shaped baffle had separated from the end plate and was blocking the end opening of the muffler. When shaken, the cone moved freely within the muffler assembly. The other cone had a hole eroded in its center.
The FAA Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook – Powerplant, Volume 1, Chapter 3, describes induction and exhaust systems. It notes that internal muffler failures, such as broken baffles or diffusers, can cause partial or complete engine power loss by restricting exhaust gas flow.