DA-40 pilot reported experiencing a complete loss of power resulting in landing at the nearest airport.
Synopsis
DA-40 pilot reported experiencing a complete loss of power resulting in landing at the nearest airport.
Narrative
Flying in IMC direct to our destination of ZZZ1 we cruised out at 7;000 feet MSL. After what felt to be about 10 min at cruising altitude our power percentage suddenly dropped to 0. We noted no signs of any irregular indication. Upon the instant realization of the loss of power myself and my passenger began the emergency troubleshoot checklist. We started the checklist procedure and declared an emergency for a complete loss of power. We noted an airport about .2 miles away from our location. The airport was ZZZ and after finding the airport I immediately started to fly directly to it. while still trying to fix the problem we broke out of IMC around 4;000 feet and I could see the airport. I performed a steep spiral over runway XX while communicating with Center the entire time until told to swap to the CTAF. Upon switching the the common traffic frequency I communicated with the other pilots and made them aware of the situation while also performing the power off landing checklist. After losing sufficient altitude on my steep spiral I transitioned into performing a power off 180. I landed the airplane safely on the runway and had enough speed to taxi off. There was 0 damage done to the aircraft and the airport environment during the emergency procedure. After the airplane came to a complete stop we I secured the airplane and made sure to safely evacuate the airplane and wait for additional help to arrive. the FBO towed the airplane from the runway to the FBO and it was observed that the propeller seems to spin like it was disconnected from the crank shaft. No persons or property was harmed and ATC was made aware that the airplane landed at the airport and everyone involved was unharmed and safe.
Second reporter narrative
Flying in IMC direct to our destination of ZZZ1 we cruised out at 7;000 feet MSL. After what felt to be about 10 min at cruising altitude our power percentage suddenly dropped to 0. We noted no signs of any irregular indication. Upon the instant realization of the loss of power myself and my passenger began the emergency troubleshoot checklist. We started the checklist procedure and declared an emergency for a complete loss of power. We noted an airport about .2 miles away from our location. The airport was ZZZ and after finding the airport I immediately started to fly directly to it. while still trying to fix the problem we broke out of IMC around 4000 feet and I could see the airport. I performed a steep spiral over runway XX while communicating with Center the entire time until told to swap to the CTAF. Upon switching the the common traffic frequency I communicated with the other pilots and made them aware of the situation while also performing the power off landing checklist. After losing sufficient altitude on my steep spiral I transitioned into performing a power off 180. I landed the airplane safely on the runway and had enough speed to taxi off. There was 0 damage done to the aircraft and the airport environment during the emergency procedure. After the airplane came to a complete stop we I secured the airplane and made sure to safely evacuate the airplane and wait for additional help to arrive. the FBO towed the airplane from the runway to the FBO and it was observed that the propeller seems to spin like it was disconnected from the crank shaft. No persons or property was harmed and ATC was made aware that the airplane landed at the airport and everyone involved was unharmed and safe.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.