Primary finding
Probable cause
The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff the airplane’s engine suddenly lost power. Despite his efforts, the engine would not restart. Subsequently, the pilot initiated a forced landing in a field and, during the landing roll, the airplane impacted a tree stump, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. During a postaccident airframe and engine examination, the engine rotated freely, and all cylinders had compression and proper valve movement. The engine was started and run at various power settings, with no anomalies noted. No evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures was found that would have precluded normal operation. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were not conducive to carburetor icing at cruise power, and the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 22, 2022, about 0913 mountain standard time, a Cessna P172D airplane, N8540X, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Prescott, Arizona. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff from Prescott Regional Airport – Ernest A Love Field (PRC), Prescott, Arizona, the airplane’s engine suddenly lost power. He immediately recycled the magnetos, pushed the mixture to full rich, and pushed the nose down. Despite his efforts, the engine would not restart. The pilot planned to land on a road, but vehicle traffic prevented this. Subsequently, he initiated a forced landing to a field about 1 mile past the runway threshold. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted a tree stump, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. During a postaccident engine examination, manual rotation was accomplished through the crankshaft, and all cylinders had compression and proper valve movement. An engine run was then accomplished at various power settings, and no anomalies were noted. No evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures was noted during the examination of the recovered airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operation. A review of the icing probability chart contained in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-09-35, revealed that the weather conditions at the time of the accident were not conducive to carburetor icing at cruise power.