I must be the exception, in 3700 hours the worst mechanical failure i
have had is the retaining nut coming off of an intake valve
effectively killing one cylinder. Still flew back the airport for a
normal landing.

I don't count the time the throttle cable came disconnected on the
towplane the was pulling me. It didn't come off until after I
released.

Of course about 700 of those 3700 hours are in a gliders (non-self
launch), engine failures are extremely rare in them.

Brian
CFIIG/ASEL