Cessna 172 N5631E accident near Boynton Beach, Florida

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

NTSB analysis

The student pilot was performing ground reference maneuvers at 1,000 ft when the flight instructor noticed that the airplane had descended “about 100 ft.” He advised the student pilot to climb the airplane back to the desired altitude, but the airplane did not respond to the student’s control inputs. The instructor took control of the airplane and his remedial actions failed to restore engine power, so he performed a forced landing to a dirt road between cultivated fields, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane.

A detailed examination of the airplane and a successful postaccident engine run failed to reveal any preimpact mechanical anomalies. Although atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to serious icing at glide power, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA21LA144 for the full record.