NTSB Factual Report

On February 23, 2017, about 1730 Pacific standard time, a Guarino, Vans RV-8, N470LM, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in a field in Marysville, California. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The airline transport pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The cross-country personal flight originated from Half Moon Bay Airport, Half Moon Bay, California, about 1600 with a planned destination of Auburn, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed

The pilot stated that he departed with full fuel in the wing tanks earlier that day from an airport in Davis, California. Had landed in Half Moon Bay for lunch and departed with a planned destination of Auburn. As he approached the vicinity, he decided to divert over to the Oroville Dam area to sightsee. He maneuvered around the area at about 2,000 feet agl and then started the leg back to Auburn. While en route, the airplane experienced a loss of thrust and the pilot could feel the airspeed slow. The propeller was still windmilling, but the throttle had no effect on the engine. He noted that the propeller circuit breaker had popped out, but there were no other indications of an anomaly in the cockpit.

The pilot further stated that with the engine operating at partial power, he was unable to maintain level flight and configured for the best glide speed. He attempted to restart the engine twice and switched fuel tanks, to no avail. The pilot made a forced landing in a soft field, resulting in the airframe sustaining substantial damage. The pilot estimated that at the time of the accident he had about 1.5 hours of fuel on board.