ERA26LA073

On December 20, 2025, at 1415 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172P airplane, N54576, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Quinton, Virginia. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot was operating out of New Kent County Airport (W96) Quinton, Virginia and reported that the preflight inspection, engine run-up, and taxi were normal. He performed several touch-and-go landings that were uneventful. Shortly after takeoff, as the airplane was climbing through 500 ft above ground level (agl), the engine rpm began to fluctuate. The pilot further described that, the engine did not “sputter,” but the rpm was “abnormal.” The pilot applied carburetor heat and attempted to troubleshoot the irregularity without success. As the airplane reached about 650 ft agl, it stopped climbing and began to lose altitude and airspeed. The pilot decreased the airplane’s pitch, established best glide speed, and identified an open field for a forced landing. While maneuvering on final approach to the field, the pilot realized that the field was very hilly and bordered with trees. The pilot attempted to make slight turns to increase the chances of a successful landing, but in the process, the airplane lost too much airspeed. Unable to make additional adjustments due to the low airspeed and altitude, the pilot fully extended the flaps and intentionally “planted” the landing gear hard into the mud so that the airplane would stop before impacting the trees. After touchdown, the landing gear created deep gouges in the field for about 100 ft before the airplane rolled into the tree line and came to rest. The hard landing and impact with the trees resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage; the right outboard wing was fractured downward, both wing struts were damaged, and the engine compartment was canted. The propeller and spinner were largely intact and did not exhibit any chordwise scraping or leading edge gouges. The airplane was recovered and retained for further examination.