Incident Summary
Approximately one minute after takeoff, the engine of a single-engine aircraft began to run rough. The student pilot, who had logged 475 hours, reported a 500 RPM drop in engine speed. The pilot attempted to restore power by applying carburetor heat and switching fuel tanks, but neither action resulted in an increase in engine power. The pilot leveled off at about 600 feet above ground and continued flying.
Pilot Actions
About three to four minutes into the flight, a severe engine vibration developed. In response, the pilot decided to shut down the engine and initiated a forced landing in a pasture located approximately two miles from the departure airport. During the landing roll, the aircraft impacted a fence, resulting in structural damage to the wings and additional damage to the propeller.
Post-Accident Observations
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector who traveled to the accident site noted that the aircraft's engine chip detector light was illuminated and that the propeller was hard to rotate by hand. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.