Incident
A student pilot on his second solo cross-country flight noticed a decrease in engine power while cruising at 3,000 feet MSL. The engine lost approximately 200-300 RPM. In response, the pilot applied carburetor heat, after which the engine ran rougher. With some power still available, he decided to land in a field rather than risk further power loss.
During the landing roll, the airplane encountered two ditches, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft. The pilot was able to exit the airplane without immediate mention of injuries.
Aftermath
A subsequent inspection of the engine and associated systems revealed no mechanical anomalies. The aircraft's engine and related components were examined, and no issues were found that could explain the power loss.
Pilot Comments
In interviews, the pilot stated his belief that the power loss was due to carburetor icing. He further commented that the substantial loss of power could have been prevented if he had applied carburetor heat earlier. No other causal factors were identified by the pilot or the investigation.