NTSB Factual Report

On April 18, 2016, about 1530 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, N151DC, was substantially damaged after a complete loss of engine power during cruise flight, which resulted in a forced landing to a farm field near Okeechobee, Florida. The student pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated by Flight Safety International, Inc as a solo instructional flight .Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Naples Municipal Airport (APF), Naples, Florida destined for Vero Beach Municipal Airport (VRB), Vero Beach, Florida. The flight was conducted under the provisions of Title14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

The pilot stated that the preflight inspection, run-up and departure were normal and that the first half of the flight was uneventful. Approximately 12 miles northeast of Okeechobee, Florida at an altitude of 3,000 feet mean sea level, the engine suddenly started to run rough and was accompanied by abnormal engine noises. The cockpit engine instruments remained in the normal range. The pilot performed the "engine roughness" checklist, but it did not resolve the problem.

The pilot contacted the Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center, and was provided with vectors to the St Lucie County International Airport (FPR), where emergency services would be standing by. Before he was able to divert, the engine experienced a rapid and complete loss of engine power. The pilot established the best glide speed and prepared for a forced landing to a small grass field. As he maneuvered for landing, he attempted to restart the engine, but power could not be restored.

After touchdown, the airplane collided with parked farm equipment and structures shearing off both wings. He evacuated the airplane.

The airplane had accrued 4,557 flight hours and 3 hours since the last AAIP inspection on April 15, 2016.

The wreckage was retained by the NTSB for further examination.