Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 25; Flight Crew Total 1280; Flight Crew Type 300
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution
Aircraft
Departed W05. I contacted Potomac on 132.77 and a requested squawk code to enter SFRA. Potomac had me stand by. About then; the engine sputtered and stopped. When they called back; I had informed them that I had lost the engine. After several attempts to restart the engine; I conveyed to them that I was 5 or 6 miles from Clearview and that I could not make it to the airport. They asked me to ident on the transponder; which I did. They gave me a potential landing zone and I replied that 'I have a big corn field in front of me; I am going to the field.' I landed in the cornfield without any damage to the airplane; property; or persons. I exited the airplane [and] called the owner of the aircraft and told him what had happened. Within a minute or two of that; I called Potomac via cellphone at 1-866-429-5882 and told them I was safe and sound. The neighbor of the field where I had landed (name unknown) was cutting grass and saw the landing and came to check on me. The owner of the aircraft showed up to inspect it and the neighbor and him decided to remove it from the cornfield and secure it on his property.  I believe the positive outcome was due to countless hours of conversation (hanger flying) and relentless training on short/soft fields. Also never forgetting to FLY the airplane!
Cessna Pilot reported engine failure and having to land in a cornfield.