NTSB Factual Report

On August 06, 2016, about 1145 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-201, N3783M, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power near Northampton Airport (7B2), Northampton, Massachusetts. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction were not injured. The instructional flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated from 7B2, about 1143.

According to the flight instructor, during a simulated soft field take-off, the airplane's climb performance deteriorated noticeably. As the airplane reached approximately 150 feet above ground level, the engine started to lose power. He then realized that continuing the climb was not possible, and any increase in pitch resulted in an immediate decrease in airspeed. The flight instructor elected to make an emergency off airport landing in a corn field near the end of the departure runway. During the landing sequence the right wing and firewall were damaged.

The airplane was retained for further examination.