February 28, Lincoln, R.I. / Piper Tomahawk

At about 18:30 eastern time, a Piper PA-38-112 crashed after losing power immediately after takeoff from North Central Airport. The flight instructor received minor injuries and the student pilot was not injured. As the airplane was climbing through 75 feet, the engine began to sputter. Climbing through 100 feet, the engine lost all power. The CFI turned the airplane toward the airport but could not make the runway. He stalled the airplane into the treetops. The airplane came to rest, suspended by the tree limbs about 20 feet above the ground. Post-accident investigation found no fuel in the mechanical fuel pump, gascolator, and carburetor.