NYC95LA228

A student pilot had earlier landed the airplane at an alternate airport during a cross country flight due to a rough running engine. The operator flew a pilot/mechanic in another airplane and retrieved the student pilot. The pilot/mechanic inspected the airplane and performed a run-up. He then departed and climbed to 5,000 feet for the return flight. During the descent to the destination airport, the pilot applied carburetor heat. On short final to the runway, the pilot turned off the carburetor heat. When the pilot applied power, the engine did not respond and the pilot performed a forced landing to an uneven field. Examination of the engine revealed no preimpact failures of the airplane or engine.

On September 28, 1995, at 1430 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 150M, N9289U, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near the Rutland State Airport, Rutland, Vermont. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, for the maintenance ferry flight that originated at Hudson, New York, about 1330. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

A student pilot (SP) flew N9289U from the Rutland State Airport (RUT) that morning on a solo flight. The SP reported to the operator of the airplane, that while at 5,000 feet the engine began to run rough, and he elected to land at the Columbia County Airport (1B1), Hudson, New York. The SP telephoned the operator, Alpine Aviation, Inc., and reported the problem. The operator flew a pilot/mechanic to 1B1 in another airplane, and retrieved the SP.

During an interview with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the pilot/mechanic stated that after inspecting N9289U, an engine run-up was completed satisfactorily.

The pilot departed 1B1 for the 80 mile flight to RUT. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated:

Departed Columbia County Airport, climbed to 5,000 with Albany departure...called 3 mile final for [runway] 01 at Rutland, applied carb heat, called short final, carb heat off. Applied power, response to throttle [was] low RPM. Made brief attempt to power up. Turned 180 degrees to avoid...terrain on approach end of 01. Landed in first available field....

According to the FAA Inspector, examination of the airplane revealed 10 to 12 gallons of fuel in the wing tanks, and no pre-impact failure of the airplane controls, or the engine.