N8824Z

On June 15, 1996, at 1030 central daylight time, a Cessna 172H, N8824Z, registered to and operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of power near Crockett, Texas. The commercial flight instructor and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was originating from a private airstrip at the time of the accident.

According to the pilot, the engine lost 50 percent of its power during takeoff. Due to the trees at the end of the runway, the pilot elected to abort the takeoff. The aircraft touched down 600 feet from the departure end of the runway. After touch down, the aircraft overran the departure end of the runway, struck a ditch and came to rest 100 feet beyond the end of the runway in trees and bushes. The aircraft sustained damage to both wings, and the nose and left main landing gear separated from the aircraft.

On March 8, 1996, during the annual inspection, the airplane was found to be in an unairworthy condition. A special flight permit was issued to ferry the airplane to Last Resort Airport in Crockett, Texas. On May 7, 1996, the airplane discrepancies were repaired and the airplane was released as airworthy. The airplane's total time recorded at the time of the annual inspection was 1393.4 hours, and the total time following the accident was reported as 1394.5 hours.

The reason for the reported power loss could not be determined.