What happened
On November 17, 2024, at approximately 0930 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172I, registration N8390L, was involved in an accident near Cordes Lakes, Arizona. The aircraft was being operated under Part 91 for personal flight.
While the pilot was in cruise flight, he experienced an engine misfire. Although engine instruments, throttle, and mixture controls initially appeared normal, a second misfire occurred, accompanied by a decrease in RPM and engine performance. The pilot attempted to rectify the issue by advancing the throttle and mixture controls and applying carburetor heat, which temporarily restored the RPM.
During the attempt to return to the airport, the engine lost power a second time, preventing the pilot from maintaining altitude. The pilot performed several actions, including cycling engine controls and switching fuel tanks from the "both" position to all positions and back to "both," and completed the emergency checklist. Despite these efforts, engine power could not be restored.
The pilot initiated a forced landing into a nearby clearing. During the maneuver to the landing site, the aircraft was flying at the edge of a stall until just before ground impact. The aircraft landed hard on uneven desert terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot sustained one minor injury, while the passenger was not injured.