Overview
A student pilot was conducting touch-and-go landings when the engine began cutting out on final approach. The pilot reported that carburetor heat was not applied until after the power loss started. Unable to restore engine power, the pilot executed a forced landing in a pasture.
Sequence of Events
According to the student pilot, several touch-and-go landings were completed without incident. During the final approach of a subsequent landing, the engine unexpectedly began losing power. The pilot activated carburetor heat only after noticing the power loss, but the engine did not recover. With insufficient altitude to reach the runway, the pilot chose an open pasture for an emergency landing. During the landing approach, the pilot maneuvered to avoid a fence and a road. The aircraft touched down in the pasture, and the landing gear sheared off during the landing, causing the airplane to slide to a stop.
Post-Accident Examination
After the accident, the engine was removed from the airframe and examined in detail. Investigators found no mechanical reason for the power loss. The engine was subsequently test-run and operated normally, exhibiting no anomalies. No evidence of malfunction was identified.