DFW05LA067

A commercial pilot departed on a cross-country flight. The pilot reported that he was at an altitude of 3,500 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL), at a low cruise power setting, when "the engine began running rough". The pilot stated that he checked the mixture, fuel selector, magneto switch, and then applied carburetor heat. The engine continued to run rough until "it quit," at approximately 600 ft above ground level (AGL). During the forced landing in a field, the airplane impacted a barbed wire fence and hit a small tree. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined.

On January 20, 2005, approximately 1415 central standard time, a Cessna 172F, single-engine airplane, N8203U, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while in cruise flight. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the personal flight conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The local flight originated from the Tahlequah Municipal Airport (TQH), near Tahlequah, Oklahoma, at an unknown time, destined for Sallisaw Municipal Airport (JSV) near Sallisaw, Oklahoma.

Despite repeated attempts by the Investigator-In-Charge (IIC), the pilot never returned a completed Pilot Operator Aircraft Accident Report Form (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). However, in a written statement submitted by the pilot to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector shortly after the accident, the pilot reported that he was at an altitude of 3,500 feet mean sea level (MSL), approximately 10 miles northeast of Sallisaw, at a low cruise power setting, when "the engine began running rough". The pilot stated that he checked the mixture, fuel selector, magneto switch, and then applied carburetor heat. The engine continued to run rough until "it quit," at approximately 600 ft above ground level (AGL). During the landing roll, the airplane impacted a barbed-wire fence and hit a small tree.

An examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed structural damage to the inboard section of the left wing and flap area, the outboard leading edge of the left wing, the outboard section of the right wing, and the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator. Additional damage to the wing strut, spinner/propeller assembly, and engine cowling was observed.

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

At 1355, the automated weather observing system at JSV, located approximately 3 miles southwest of the accident site, reported wind from 220 degrees at 7 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, a clear sky, temperature 68 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 39 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 29.97 inches of Mercury.