Event NYC03LA184

Factual narrative

On August 29, 2003, about 1100 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-38-112, N2550A, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees, after experiencing a loss of engine power while landing at the North Central State Airport (SFZ), Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The certificated student pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed the Theodore Francis Green State Airport (PVD), Providence, Rhode Island. The solo instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The student pilot reported he intended to perform touch and go landings at SFZ, which was located about 12 miles north of PVD. He entered the traffic pattern for runway 23, a 5,000-foot-long, 150-foot-wide, asphalt runway; however, while on final approach, the pilot reduced the throttle slightly and the engine quit. The airplane was about 350 feet above the ground, and the pilot performed a forced landing into trees. The airplane came to rest inverted, about 1/2 mile from the airport. The airplane and engine were examined by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. Inspection of the engine fuel, intake and ignition systems did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions. Visual examination of the spark plugs revealed they were all light gray in color, except the number 2 top spark plug, which was oil soaked. The student pilot reported 63 hours of total flight experience, all in the same make and model as the accident airplane. The student pilot was on final approach for a touch and go landing when he reduced the throttle slightly and the engine lost power. The airplane was about 350 feet above the ground, and he performed a forced landing into trees. The airplane came to rest inverted, about 1/2 mile from the airport. Examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12