On October 2, 1985, a Piper PA-38-112 (registration N3768U) was involved in an aviation accident near Terre Haute, IN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a training flight, the engine failed at about 300 feet. The instructor took control and turned toward a taxiway, but the aircraft landed in a soybean field, collapsing the landing gear.
Incident Summary
A training aircraft experienced a loss of engine power during takeoff, leading to a forced landing that resulted in the collapse of the right main and nose landing gear.
Events of the Flight
At approximately 300 feet above ground level, the engine quit while a student pilot was at the controls. The certified flight instructor (CFI) immediately assumed control and initiated a left turn toward a taxiway to execute an emergency landing. The aircraft touched down in a cultivated soybean field located between the runway and the taxiway. Upon landing, the gear collapsed due to the soft terrain, and the right wing was bent during the sliding stop.
Post-Accident Inspection
Following the accident, a detailed inspection of the aircraft's powerplant and systems revealed no abnormalities or defects. Weather conditions at the time were not conducive to carburetor icing, and no evidence of carburetor ice was found.