Primary finding
Probable cause
A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The instructional flight was returning to the airport when the engine rpm began to fluctuate, followed by backfiring. The pilot completed the emergency loss of engine power checklist. Unable to maintain altitude, the flight instructor assumed control of the airplane and performed an off-airport landing on open desert terrain. During the landing roll, the nosewheel collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage’s undercarriage. The engine and various instruments and components were removed from the airplane before the airplane was recovered, which prevented examination of the engine and related systems to determine the cause of the loss of engine power.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 6, 2022, about 1845 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172B, N7609X, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Silver Springs, Nevada. The flight instructor sustained a minor injury and the pilot receiving instruction was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The flight instructor reported that, after conducting a preflight inspection, they departed the Silver Springs Airport (SPZ), with a planned destination of Fallon Municipal Airport (FLX), Fallon, Nevada. During a power reduction on the instrument approach at FLX, the engine experienced a slight backfiring. On the return flight to SPZ, the engine rpm began to fluctuate, followed by additional backfiring. The engine continued to produce partial power and the pilot completed the emergency loss of engine power checklist. Unable to maintain altitude, the flight instructor elected to land the airplane on open desert terrain near a highway. During the landing roll, the nosewheel collapsed and the propeller impacted terrain. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuselage undercarriage was substantially damaged. The engine and various instruments and components were removed from the airplane prior to its recovery by unknown person(s) without authorization, precluding additional examination.