PA-32 Cherokee Six/Lance/Saratoga/6X
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 85; Flight Crew Total 510; Flight Crew Type 220
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Diverted; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Procedure
While cruising at 4000 ft. on an IFR flight plan from ZZZ; the engine immediately (with no warning from gauges or rough running) started running terribly and oil and smoke started to come out of the vent in the cowling. Immediately after I noticed the JPI engine monitor showing nothing from cylinder 1. I had just been handed off to ZZZ1 Center and was having trouble hearing them to announce my [situation]. I then switched to 121.5 and advised I had lost a cylinder.  I turned the 430W all the way to the right for [the] nearest airport but no airports were coming up. Not sure why; I began asking for the nearest airport on 121.5. I was advised ZZZ2 so I assumed the code was ZZZ3; and put it in the 430. When I was unable to locate the airport; I asked for a heading. Thinking I misheard the airport identifier; I asked again for the airport code and when I heard ZZZ2 again; I successfully entered ZZZ2 without the K and was able to see I was 4 miles away. I used what was left of the throttle until the engine stopped running and successfully landed on [the] runway centerline and safely with no damage to myself or the airframe. I then exited the airplane to assure it wasn't going to ignite. After several minutes and with a fire extinguisher close by; some people at the airport helped tow my airplane off of the runway and secured it on the ramp.Even though there was an additional 8 kts. of headwind at a 6000 ft. cruise vs the chosen; 4000 ft. cruise; in the future; when able; I will always choose the higher cruise to provide myself more time to react.
Pilot reported a cylinder malfunctioned; causing engine power loss resulting in a diversion and precautionary landing.