This is an excerpt from a report made to the Aviation Safety Reporting System. The narrative is written by the pilot, rather than FAA or NTSB officials. To maintain anonymity, many details, such as aircraft model or airport, are often scrubbed from the reports.
My student was on the controls on very short final. We were over the runway at about 15 feet AGL when the engine went quiet. The right wing dropped and we lost all lift without hearing the stall horn. Our nose is now pointed at a 40° angle to the right from the runway heading.
I immediately took controls, leveled the wings and flared so we would bounce on our main gears. We bounced off the runway and headed into the grass. I treated it like a soft field landing. I made sure to avoid any runway lights.
ATC asked if there was any damage and if I needed assistance, I said negative. ATC said I can taxi back on the runway and exit runway.
I was thankful for ATC’s calm demeanor.
Power had now returned to the throttle/engine. I was able to taxi back onto the runway, then back to parking.
The Cessna 172 I was flying had previously been reported to having faulty mags during a run-up, but maintenance was not able find anything wrong. The aircraft is now being thoroughly inspected.
Primary Problem: Aircraft
ACN: 1840158
“at about 15 feet AGL when the engine went quiet. The right wing dropped and we lost all lift without hearing the stall horn”
In a C172 at 15 agl with no power, there should be no problem landing the aircraft with no wing drop or yaw. Unless there was a serious crosswind, the description sounds like a pilot control issue, not a mysterious stall without warning. Glad things turned out ok. Fly the airplane until it is tied down.