A M-20 pilot made an off aiport landing on a road when the engine failed while in cruise at 10;500 M...

Attributes
ACN	904435
Time
Date	201008
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	M-20 K (231) / Encore
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	VFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Engine
Person 1
Function	Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Private
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 60 Flight Crew Total 1700 Flight Crew Type 1480
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical

Narrative:

After a normal run-up; preflight checks and departure; the engine began running rough and losing power at 10;500 in cruise flight. Completion of checklist procedures had no effect and we began losing altitude. After declaring an emergency with approach and concluding we would not likely make the nearest charted airport; a dirt strip was selected for landing. Landing resulted in a smooth rollout with no damage to persons or property.subsequent examination showed both mags and the vacuum pump had failed. A 500 hour inspection had been performed on the mags two weeks and 10 hours earlier during an annual which included a top overhaul. The incident resulted in no adverse outcomes due to the recent training in engine out procedures completed as part of a recent BFR. The pilot was rested and in good health; having recently received a renewal of a third class medical certificate. VFR conditions and plentiful suitable landing sites contributed to a safe outcome.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A M-20 pilot made an off aiport landing on a road when the engine failed while in cruise at 10;500 MSL.

Narrative: After a normal run-up; preflight checks and departure; the engine began running rough and losing power at 10;500 in cruise flight. Completion of checklist procedures had no effect and we began losing altitude. After declaring an emergency with approach and concluding we would not likely make the nearest charted airport; a dirt strip was selected for landing. Landing resulted in a smooth rollout with no damage to persons or property.Subsequent examination showed both mags and the vacuum pump had failed. A 500 hour inspection had been performed on the mags two weeks and 10 hours earlier during an annual which included a top overhaul. The incident resulted in no adverse outcomes due to the recent training in engine out procedures completed as part of a recent BFR. The pilot was rested and in good health; having recently received a renewal of a third class medical certificate. VFR conditions and plentiful suitable landing sites contributed to a safe outcome.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.