Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 142; Flight Crew Total 1380; Flight Crew Type 531
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Aircraft
It was a beautiful morning to fly at ZZZ. Winds reporting 000 at 00 kts. sky clear visibility +10SM. My student and I taxied to Runway XX with intentions to do some landing practice (pattern work). We did a run up in the 'run up area' at Runway XX and Taxiway XX intersection. The run up was normal; good mag drops; carb heat worked; engine gauges green; vacuum suction at 5hg; and alternator charging etc. We pulled up to the [Runway] XX hold short line and got our take off clearance; lined up on the runway and applied full power; checked engine instruments on the takeoff roll; and they were all still in the green. Airspeed came alive; at 55 kts. and we rotated. Everything seemed normal; after we reached approximately 500 ft. MSL I heard a change in the sound of the engine. I then glanced at the tachometer and noticed the RPM had dropped approximately 400RPM. When I saw that; I reached for the throttle pushing it forward thinking the student may have pulled it back a little on accident. I then realized the throttle was all the way forward. I immediately pulled the throttle to idle and the prop completely stopped. That's when I knew this was real. I looked in front of me and didn't see a good place to safely land the aircraft; so I opted for a field to my right on the northeast side of the airport. Everyone was okay and no damage was done to the aircraft.
During a flight training lesson at ZZZ; we lined up on Runway XX and came to a complete stop. I was on controls; we went full power with brakes; then released brakes and began the take off roll. After rotation my Instructor instructed me to put in more right rudder; because I was to the left of the runway; and to put the nose down some to get to 80 kts. The plane was at about 70 kts. I was focused on trimming the plane and getting my nose down some to get to the correct climb speed. Towards the end of the runway I felt the plane drop some. The Instructor immediately took over controls. I am not 100% sure; but I think we were about 500 ft. on the altimeter. The Instructor pushed on the throttle; I guess to make sure throttle was full. The prop stopped and the instructor called Mayday Mayday Mayday. The Instructor banked the plane steep towards the field to the right of the runway. The instructor landed the plane in the field right outside the airport fence. I do not think there was enough runway to land on the runway and I do not think we would have made it above the power lines if the instructor would have tried to land straight ahead. I honestly do not know what caused the engine failure. During preflight inspection I did not see anything abnormal. There were 6 qts. of oil; I did not see any oil leaks; the wires looked fine; the belts on the spinner was there and had tension; there were no contaminates when I checked the fuel 3 sumps; both fuel tanks were at the tab which is 17 gal. per tank. Fuel selector was on the left tank; electric fuel tank was on. I am not sure how the problem arose or contributing factors. I think my Instructor made a great judgment call and grateful that we landed safely.
PA-28 flight crew reported an uneventful forced landing shortly after takeoff due to engine failure.