Flight Instructor reported an engine failure with attempts to restart resulted in an off field landing.

Date: 2022-06 · Aircraft: Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172 · Phase: climb

Anomalies: aircraft-equipment-problem-critical

Synopsis

Flight Instructor reported an engine failure with attempts to restart resulted in an off field landing.

Narrative

Approximately XA:30 picked up IFR clearance from ZZZ1 clearance delivery (cell phone); took off within 6 min clearance void time. Approximately XB:20 started VOR/DME XX into ZZZ2. Completed full approach; broke out a few seconds after holding at MDA (1520 ft.); touch and go [Runway] XX to missed (amended by ZZZ Center) (published but contact [frequency] XXX.XX; not previous controller at YYY.Y). Went missed; at 2;000 ft indicated; called Center; no answer...2;500 ft. no answer... just prior to 3;000 ft. we finally heard them...they asked if we could accept 5;000 ft; we said affirmative...they said pass 3;000 then direct to ZZZ; climb 5;000 ft. Passed 3;000 ft turned direct ZZZ; I felt/heard what I believed to be engine icing...checked rpm gauge (indicated normal operations) and asked student; he did not concur with my assessment...I pulled carb heat and monitored for a minute or two...no change. I put carb heat back in and thought I might just be over-reacting. We were approximately 3;400-3;500 ft indicated and started to lean mixture...engine died; thought nothing of it (mix was pulled too far out; so just put back in and try again)...but after going back to full rich; engine did not start back up. Cycled throttle; cycled mixture; nothing...carb heat out; mix full rich; throttle full in; went to right tank (waited a few seconds); nothing...left tank; nothing...mags were on both...turned left mag; nothing; right mag; nothing...even went to start just for the hell of it (prop never stopped windmilling)...nothing. Notified Center of engine failure; they did not respond; I asked again...told student to pitch for Vg. I ran engine out checklist line by line; still no start. I took control; told student to work COMMS (I don't recall much; he was talking to a relay aircraft and maybe Center); he squawked 7700 (I didn't notice; but he said so). Told student when we break out; I look left and he look right...first one to spot something suitable call out...we broke out at roughly 1;700 ft indicated (900-1;000 ft. AGL). Shortly after he called out suitable site...I swung around airplane; got in sight and started to dial in he continued on COMMS; I did one last ABCDE [checklist] seconds before contact I secured the engine (all fuel; mags; throttle; master off); prop ceased to windmill. After composing myself; tried to call Center on handheld...no luck. Called Clearance Delivery to alert them...they gave me Center's number...I gave them all the pertinent info and our GPS coordinates and awaited authorities.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.