Incident Overview
A commercial pilot encountered a total loss of engine power while climbing through 400 feet above ground level during a right crosswind departure on a short night cross-country flight. The pilot was conducting a right turn toward the airport while simultaneously performing emergency procedures in an attempt to restore engine power.
Sequence of Events
As the airplane descended, the airport fire station and power lines lay in the aircraft's path. The pilot attempted to stretch the glide to clear these obstacles. However, the airplane stalled and struck the terrain approximately 200 feet short of the runway.
Investigation Findings
The investigation was unable to determine the nature of the engine power loss. No further details regarding the aircraft type, registration, or pilot injuries were provided in the source. The pilot's decision to continue the turn toward the airport while addressing the emergency was noted, but the specific outcome of those actions is limited to the factual sequence described.