FTW04LA229

The 290-hour pilot reported that shortly after take-off, when the airplane was approximately 175 feet above ground level (agl) and approximately 4,000 feet down the 5,495- foot-long and 100-foot-wide runway, the engine lost power and was unable to maintain altitude. He elected to execute a forced landing, and turned approximately seven degrees to the left of the runway to avoid hitting a localizer antennae located near the end of the runway; however, the airplane impacted a fence with the left wing. The engine was later test run under the supervision of an FAA inspector. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined.

On September 2, 2004, approximately 1725 central daylight time, a Cessna 175 single engine airplane, N6517E, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from the Beauregard Regional Airport (DRI) near De Ridder, Louisiana. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered and operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for the Leesville Airport near Leesville, Louisiana.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, interviewed the pilot. According to the inspector, the 290-hour pilot reported that after takeoff, when the airplane was approximately 175 feet above ground level (agl) and approximately 4,000 feet down the 5,495- foot-long and 100-foot-wide runway, the engine lost power. The pilot cycled the throttle, but the engine showed no increase in power. The airplane was unable to maintain altitude, and the pilot elected to turn approximately seven degrees to the left of the runway to avoid colliding with the localizer antennae located near the end of the runway; however the airspeed was too high and the airplane impacted a fence with the left wing. After impacting the fence, the pilot re-started the engine and taxied the airplane back to the hangar.

Examination of the airframe by the FAA inspector revealed structural damage to the left wing.

The engine was run on September 8, 2004, under the supervision of an FAA inspector. It ran at various power settings for approximately five minutes with no interruptions. No leaks were observed at this time. The reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined.

At 1655, the automated weather observing system at Polk Army Airfield located near Fort Polk, Louisiana, approximately 15 nautical miles northeast of the accident site, reported wind from 010 degrees at 4 knots, scattered clouds at 5,000 feet, broken clouds at 12,000 feet, an overcast at 20,000 feet, temperature 84 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 68 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 29.97 inches of Mercury.