Flight Crew Student
Flight Crew Total 80; Flight Crew Type 80
Training / Qualification; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Evacuated
Aircraft
Student pilot rented Aircraft X for a VFR solo cross country flight; operating under CFR Part 91. Before departure; a logbook endorsement was received from the pilot's CFI for the intended route of flight and a VFR flight plan was filed for this route indicating a cruising altitude of 3;000 and five hours of fuel onboard. Aircraft X departed ZZZ1; activated flight plan shortly after; climbed to FL030; and continued for pattern entry for ZZZ approx. 1 hour later. No traffic was observed in the pattern at ZZZ; and a touch and go was made on Rwy YY. On upwind; at an unknown altitude; the engine RPM went from 2800 to 500 in approx. one second. After pumping the throttle the engine restarted then quit again.A 180 degree turn was made back to ZZZ airport; Rwy YX; but not enough altitude was available to reach the field; and the airplane was landed into a nearby body of water. The fuel selector was on the Left tank from departure at ZZZ1; the electric boost pump was on; per the checklist. Upon landing; the pilot was able to get the attention of people on shore who came to the scene in a canoe.
Engine failed after touch and go; aircraft landed in a lake; no injuries indicated.