N7905U

On August 6, 2024, about 1820 central daylight time, a Cessna 172F airplane, N7905U, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Brazoria, Texas. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations part 91 personal flight.

The intent of the flight was to move the airplane from Eagle Airpark (2TE0), Brazoria, Texas, to Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport (LBX), Lake Jackson, Texas. Several witnesses observed the airplane taxi from its hangar to the departure end of runway 11. The turf runway was oriented about 110 degrees and was wet from recent rains. A witness, who was an airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanic, reported that the engine sounded as if it was intermittently backfiring during the taxi. The airplane taxied into position and began its takeoff roll. The witness heard the engine backfire again and saw the airplane come to a complete stop about 300 ft down the runway. He then heard the engine rpm increase and the airplane started another takeoff roll. Then airplane then went out of his line of sight.

Another witness, who was located on the opposite side of the runway as the previous witness, observed the airplane taxi from its hangar to the runway. She stated that the airplane started its takeoff roll and stopped on the runway. The airplane was stopped for a few minutes, then the airplane started a takeoff roll again. She then observed the airplane pitch up abruptly at a high angle and climb to about 200 ft. She stated that the left wing of the airplane stalled, and the airplane spiraled down to the left until ground impact.

Several other witnesses near the accident site reported similar observations of the accident sequence.

Examination of the accident site showed that the airplane impacted the ground in a left wing down, nose low attitude. Tire tracks from the airplane were observed veering to the left about 50 ft off the runway. The tracks went through tall, uncut grass that was bordering the runway. The ground under the tall grass was boggy and water saturated. Metal pieces of a carport frame (various lengths and 2-inch by 2-inch square) structure were found lying flat amidst the grass, about 50 ft left of the edge of the runway. The airport manager reported that the metal pieces were remnants from a recent hurricane.

Evidence at the accident site showed that the bottom side of the airplane’s horizontal stabilizer contacted the metal pieces as the airplane passed through the grass. Small pieces of the horizontal stabilizer and white paint chips (consistent with the airplane’s paint) were found amidst the grass. The contact with the metal pieces was consistent with the airplane rotating for takeoff after it veered off the runway surface, as it passed through the tall, uncut grass in the boggy area. The boggy area was bordered by a 4 ft high barbed wire fence. A portion of the airplane’s right elevator was found embedded in the top wire of the fence. The main wreckage of the airplane was about 200 ft from the fence, and the direction of impact was about 090 degrees. The fuel tanks were found breached and an unknown amount of fuel had leaked out of the tanks after the accident.

Disassembly of the engine and engine accessories did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies. Engine drive continuity was established. Fuel was found in the fuel lines and the carburetor bowl. The fuel was tested and found free of contaminants and water. Examinations of the airframe, flight controls, and fuel system, did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies, and flight control continuity was confirmed. About 3 gallons of fuel was drained from the right fuel tank. The fuel was free of contaminants and water. The cockpit fuel selector lever and the airframe fuel valve were found in the right tank position. The fuel valve was found functional. After the examinations, the airplane wreckage was transported to a secure facility.