Narrative:

We were about 1.4 hours into an instrument proficiency check ride with my instructor. We had performed three approaches at two different airports and we're returning to our home airport to perform the RNAV xy approach. We had been cleared VFR direct to zzzzz intersection; at or below 2700 by approach. We were in level flight at about 2;600 MSL; 7-8 NM southwest of airport; when suddenly; without warning; the plane started vibrating violently. [The instructor] immediately grabbed the controls and I released them stating 'you have the plane'. [He] being the much more experienced pilot we both believed; without discussion; this was appropriate. [He] executed a 180 degree turn to the left intending to return to ZZZ. He immediately notified ATC and squawked 7700 on the transponder. By this time copious amounts of smoke and oil were spewing from engine cowling and we became concerned about a fire. [He] quickly decided that we were unlikely to be able to make it back to ZZZ with a 10-20 KT head wind; and with a potential fire; getting on the ground quickly seemed our best choice. He stated his intentions and I fully agreed. We both started looking for a suitable landing site; which we quickly identified; and [he] executed a rapid descent. As we approached the selected field we noticed high power lines on the final approach path and [he] maneuvered to descend below them; which we did. As we passed below the wires there was an audible 'bang' but the flight path of the plane was unaltered. We continued on final approach and [he] executed a perfect soft field landing in a tilled; frozen; cornfield. There were no injuries. We both unbuckled our seatbelts and exited the plane quickly and walked away. There was no fire and the plane remained upright on its landing gear. Upon landing we contacted 911; and the FAA. We visually inspected the plane after landing and noticed damage to the plastic wing tip fairing of the right wing. There was no observable damage to any other surface of the plane including the tail. Later that day we participated in an inspection of the plane and the landing site with an FAA aviation safety inspector; and his team. They determined that it was best to wait until the plane was recovered to a hangar to remove the cowling and inspect the engine compartment. So we have no in sight as to the cause of the engine failure at this time. We returned to airport ZZZ FBO and were interviewed by the inspection team. We were not informed that there were any violations or discrepancies at the time of this interview.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A pilot and instructor in a C172 experienced an engine failure that resulted in an off field landing.

Narrative: We were about 1.4 hours into an instrument Proficiency check ride with my Instructor. We had performed three approaches at two different airports and we're returning to our home airport to perform the RNAV XY approach. We had been cleared VFR direct to ZZZZZ Intersection; at or below 2700 by Approach. We were in level flight at about 2;600 MSL; 7-8 NM Southwest of Airport; when suddenly; without warning; the plane started vibrating violently. [The instructor] immediately grabbed the controls and I released them stating 'you have the plane'. [He] being the much more experienced pilot we both believed; without discussion; this was appropriate. [He] executed a 180 degree turn to the left intending to return to ZZZ. He immediately notified ATC and Squawked 7700 on the transponder. By this time copious amounts of smoke and oil were spewing from engine cowling and we became concerned about a fire. [He] quickly decided that we were unlikely to be able to make it back to ZZZ with a 10-20 KT head wind; and with a potential fire; getting on the ground quickly seemed our best choice. He stated his intentions and I fully agreed. We both started looking for a suitable landing site; which we quickly identified; and [he] executed a rapid descent. As we approached the selected field we noticed high power lines on the final approach path and [he] maneuvered to descend below them; which we did. As we passed below the wires there was an audible 'Bang' but the flight path of the plane was unaltered. We continued on final approach and [he] executed a perfect soft field landing in a tilled; frozen; cornfield. There were no injuries. We both unbuckled our seatbelts and exited the plane quickly and walked away. There was no fire and the plane remained upright on its landing gear. Upon Landing we contacted 911; and the FAA. We visually inspected the plane after landing and noticed damage to the plastic wing tip fairing of the right wing. There was no observable damage to any other surface of the plane including the Tail. Later that day we participated in an inspection of the plane and the landing site with an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector; and his team. They determined that it was best to wait until the plane was recovered to a hangar to remove the cowling and inspect the engine compartment. So we have no in sight as to the cause of the engine failure at this time. We returned to Airport ZZZ FBO and were interviewed by the inspection team. We were not informed that there were any violations or discrepancies at the time of this interview.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.