N6542J

On October 13, 2002, at 1442 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N6542J, registered to ATE of Texas Inc., and operated by American Flyers, as a 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight collided with a fence after takeoff from Pompano Airpark, Pompano, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the private pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed from Pompano Beach, Florida, at 1440.

According to the pilot, shortly after liftoff from runway 10, and as the airplane climbed through 90 feet, the pilot noticed a loss of engine power. As the airplane started to descend, the pilot decided to land straight ahead on the remaining runway surface. The pilot elected to shut down the engine by reducing the power and mixture levers. The airplane touched down on the runway and bounced about three times. Efforts by the pilot to stop the airplane on the runway surface were unsuccessful. The airplane continued off the departure end of the runway and overrun, and collided with a fence.

The initial examination of the airplane at the accident site disclosed that the left and right wing assemblies sustained structural damage. The engine firewall was also buckled. During the post-accident engine test run, the engine developed normal takeoff power without hesitation or roughness. The post-engine inspection disclosed no oil leaks or further discrepancies.

According to the pilot, there were 40 gallons of fuel onboard the airplane at the time of the attempted takeoff. Review of weather data disclosed that conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice.