Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 369; Flight Crew Total 1225; Flight Crew Type 282
Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Aircraft
During a training flight to ZZZ; a catastrophic engine failure was experience approximately 3SM southwest of ZZZ1 during level cruise flight at 3;500 ft. MSL. After diagnosing the complete loss of engine power as a catastrophic engine failure; I tuned Tower into the radio and immediately [requested priority handling]. As I made a turn for ZZZ1; I was cleared to land both Runway XXR and Runway XXL. Aircraft in closed traffic at ZZZ1 were given instruction by Tower to extend their downwind legs to ensure no traffic conflicts would be present for my forced landing. Ultimately; a safe landing was accomplished on Runway XXR; and no further assistance was required to remove the aircraft from the runway. A phone call was made to Tower; where my name; phone number; and pilot certificate number were recorded. I was advised the Federal Aviation Administration may be reaching out regarding the [priority handling].The direct cause of the engine failure has not been determined. It appeared; however; that at least one cylinder had a piston which experienced a shearing force; ultimately damaging both the piston and the crankshaft. Shortly after the engine failure; the propeller stopped; refusing to windmill. This is consistent with the proposition that the crankshaft was damaged. After determining the engine could not be restarted; the mixture was positioned to 'idle-cutoff;' the fuel-selection positioned to 'off;' the electric fuel pump positioned to 'off;' and the magnetos positioned to 'off.' On close-in base leg; I opened the door as a preventative measure for quick egress of the aircraft in the event of an engine-bay fire upon landing. Barring no fire; I was able to roll the aircraft off the runway; taxiway; and into a transient spot. The aircraft currently resides in a transient parking stall until the aircraft owner's Mechanic can assess the damage.
P28A Instructor Pilot reported emergency diversion leading to an uneventful emergency landing due to engine failure during cruise.