Turning back to the airport from a loss of engine is the worst possible thing you can do on a single engine plane during climb out . This is what kills a lot of pilots, even experienced pilots. I listened to the ATC, it was a very short flight, a few minutes maybe. Contacting ATC during an emergeny is not the highest priority so he might have been dealing with the problem before the first ATC contact. Sadly he was so close to at least making it to the grass field before the runway, if only he a little more altitude, he would have at least made it to the grass field before the runway.
I hope he wasn't in a hurry to get somewhere, that is also a huge reason for crashes, when things like checking fuel, pre-flight inspections and running check lists are often neglected. Pre-flight preparation should always have a contingency for the "what-ifs", especially engine problems. He should have considered landing ahead or off to a side, maybe NW expressway, or hefner to the right. What he did is well known in the industry of what not to do, its called the "impossible turn", because there is usually not enough speed or altitude to turn around and glide back.
I hope he wasn't in a hurry to get somewhere, that is also a huge reason for crashes, when things like checking fuel, pre-flight inspections and running check lists are often neglected. Pre-flight preparation should always have a contingency for the "what-ifs", especially engine problems. He should have considered landing ahead or off to a side, maybe NW expressway, or hefner to the right. What he did is well known in the industry of what not to do, its called the "impossible turn", because there is usually not enough speed or altitude to turn around and glide back.
