CEN16LA382

The private pilot stated that, about 30-40 minutes into the cross-country flight, at an altitude of 3,500 ft, the engine suddenly experienced a total loss of power. The pilot turned on the fuel boost pump, adjusted the mixture, and switched fuel tanks to restart the engine. The propeller rotated, but the engine did not start. The pilot subsequently landed the airplane in a soybean field. Upon touching down, the nose gear dug into the dirt and the airplane nosed over. A postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any preexisting mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have resulted in the loss of engine power.

On September 21, 2016 at 1236 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N4470X, nosed over during an off-airport landing in near Wooster, Ohio, following a loss of engine power. The private pilot received a minor injury and the passenger was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The aircraft was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operating on a flight plan. The flight originated from the Norwalk-Huron County Airport (5A1), Norwalk, Ohio, with an intended destination of the Carrol County-Tolson Airport (TSO), Carrollton, Ohio.The pilot reported the airplane operated normally during the first part of the flight. About 30 to 40 minutes into the flight, at an altitude of 3,500 ft, the engine suddenly lost all power. The pilot turned on the fuel boost pump, adjusted the mixture, and switched fuel tank to restart the engine. The propeller rotated, but the engine did not start. The pilot subsequently landed the airplane in a soybean field. Upon touching down, the nose gear dug into the dirt and the airplane nosed over. The pilot and passenger kicked out the windscreen and exited the airplane. A postaccident examination of the airplane was conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector. The inspector reported he verified there was fuel going to the engine, the magnetos sparked, compression on all cylinders, and continuity throughout the engine. The inspector reported the air intake duct was crushed, which most likely occurred during the accident sequence. The examination did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would have resulted in the loss of engine power. The temperature and dewpoint were not conducive to carburetor icing at cruise power.