Piper Aircraft Inc PA-28-161 N864LM accident near Grant-Valkaria, Florida

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that the preflight, departure, and climb phases of the flight were normal and uneventful. She leveled off at 7,500 feet mean sea level and began to lean the mixture. While leaning, the engine rpm dropped below 1,000. She responded by increasing the mixture to full rich and applying full throttle; however, the engine did not respond. The airplane began to lose altitude rapidly and she tried to restart the engine to no avail. She declared an emergency and was unable to glide to a nearby airport, so she force-landed the airplane in a farm field. The airplane collided with a fence and a ditch before coming to a stop, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. A postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation, and the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA21LA349 for the full record.