One of the lessons we all learn (and sometimes ignore) in our primary training goes something like this:

When you're in the pattern, you should have the field 'made' at all times.

Another piece of advice, even more-critical:

Don't pull the power until you're absolutely, positively sure the field is 'made.'

We all sometimes drag one in (either through an unanticipated change in conditions or just plain bad judgment); but, what if we're so intent on landing on that first inch of runway (generally an unnecessary target, in a small trainer -- pick a different target, and work on accuracy there), that we cut it a little short; and then that ol' power just refuses to come back? Here's what:

**   Report created 1/16/03   Record 1  **
IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: 2400K        Make/Model: PA38      Description: PA-38 Tomahawk
  Date: 01/13/2003     Time: 1600
  Event Type: Accident   Highest Injury: None     Mid Air: N    Missing: N
  Damage: Substantial
LOCATION
  City: MANSFIELD   State: MO   Country: US
DESCRIPTION
  ACFT LANDED OFF THE AIRFIELD WHEN ON THE DOWNWIND LEG TO RUNWAY 25, POWER WAS REDUCED TO LAND BUT WHEN ADVANCING THE THROTTLE FOR MORE POWER TO REACH THE RUNWAY, THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND, MANSFIELD, MO
INJURY DATA      Total Fatal:   0
                 # Crew:  1     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   
                 # Pass:   0     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   
                 # Grnd:         Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   
WEATHER: VISUAL FLIGHT CONTIDIONS
OTHER DATA
  Activity: Pleasure      Phase: Landing      Operation: General Aviation
  Departed: MOUNTAIN GROVE, MO          Dep Date: 01/13/2003   Dep. Time:
  Destination: MANSFIELD, MO            Flt Plan: NONE         Wx Briefing: U
  Last Radio Cont: UNK
  Last Clearance: UNK
  FAA FSDO: ST. LOUIS, MO  (CE03)                 Entry date: 01/16/2003