CESSNA 172I

Full Narrative

On November 17, 2024, about 0930 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172I, N8390L, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Cortes Lakes, Arizona. The pilot sustained minor injuries, and the passenger was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The pilot reported that while in cruise flight, he thought he heard the engine misfire and verified the engine instruments showed normal indications along with throttle and mixture control positions. The engine misfired again along with a decrease in RPM and performance. The pilot advanced the throttle and mixture controls and turned on carburetor heat, which corrected the loss of RPM.
While attempting to return to the airport, the engine began to lose power a second time, and the pilot was unable to maintain altitude. He cycled the engine controls, switched the fuel tanks from “both” to all positions and back to “both,” and completed the emergency checklist, however, was unable to restore engine power. The pilot stated that he initiated a forced landing to a nearby clearing, and while maneuvering the airplane to the clearing, he was flying on the edge of a stall until just before it impacted the ground. The airplane landed hard on uneven desert terrain and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings.
The airplane was recovered to a secure location for further examination.