Piper PA28 N7506W accident near Compton, California

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident engine examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB analysis

The student pilot was conducting a local personal flight. The student reported that, during climb to cruise, the engine experienced a total loss of power about 400 ft above ground level. The pilot attempted to troubleshoot the loss of power; however, he was unsuccessful and then initiated a forced landing. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a fence.

Based on fuel receipts, information provided by another pilot about the airplane's use after its refueling, and fuel performance calculations, it was determined that the airplane likely contained about 21 gallons of fuel before the accident flight; however, the fuel quantity in each tank at the time of the loss of engine power could not be determined because the fuel tanks were breached during the accident sequence. A postaccident examination of the engine and the airframe revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR16LA005 for the full record.