BFO95LA069

The student pilot reported that during the supervised solo instructional flight he had completed one touch and go landing and one landing to a full stop, without incident. He stated that when the airplane was about 25 to 30 feet above the ground on the third takeoff, the engine sputtered and he was unable to maintain altitude. The student pilot stated that he made a '...bouncy landing...' and the airplane veered off the runway, and came to a full stop in a grassy field. Postaccident examination revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction.

On June 20, 1995, at 1939 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N4876F, operated as a solo instructional flight, sustained substantial damage when it touched down hard during a forced landing at Seamans Airport, Factoryville, Pennsylvania. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, no flight plan was filed. The local flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91, and the loss of engine power occurred during the initial climb.

The student pilot stated that he was performing supervised takeoff and landings when the accident occurred. He reported that he completed one touch and go landing and one full stop landing successfully. However, the student pilot stated: "The airplane [performance] was sluggish due to the high...temperature...and humidity." He reported that during the third takeoff about 25 to 30 feet above the ground the engine sputtered, and the airplane began to lose altitude. The student pilot made a "...bouncy landing..." on the right side of the runway. The airplane veered off the runway and came to a full stop in a grassy field.

The student pilot told the Federal Aviation Administration Inspector that he thought he had an engine problem and tried to get the airplane back on the ground. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical anomaly.