N25778

On December 31, 1998, at 1205 central standard time, a Cessna 152 airplane, N25778, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Peaster, Texas. The private pilot and pilot rated passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to LJF Services, Inc. of Argyle, Texas, and operated by Split S Aviation of Fort Worth, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from Hicks Airfield Airport, Fort Worth, Texas, at 1000, and departed an intermediate stop of Possum Kingdom Airport, Graford, Texas, about 25 minutes prior to the accident.

The pilot and passenger reported that they were returning to Hicks Airfield Airport, at 2,500 feet msl, when the aircraft's "engine quit without any hesitation, just like turning off a light switch." The pilot initiated a forced landing and turned towards a private airstrip (BLO) located 2 miles west of their position. According to the passenger, the private airstrip "was the nearest place to put down the plane safely." The pilot was unable to restart the engine. The airplane was too low to reach the airstrip and collided with trees approximately 1/4 mile short of the airstrip.

Examination of the wreckage by the FAA inspector revealed the empennage separated from the fuselage and was located in some trees. The airplane was found up against trees partially inverted with its nose pointing upward. Examination of the accident site revealed evidence of fuel spillage.