NTSB Factual Report

On April 10, 2004, at 1500 central daylight time, a Cessna 172K single-engine airplane, N84623, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff initial climb from the George R Carr Memorial Airport (BXA), near Bogalusa, Louisiana. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by private individuals. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from the Columbia-Marion County Airport (0R0), near Columbia, Mississippi, at 1415, destined for BXA.

The 716-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that the flight to BXA was uneventful. After establishing a wide base leg for runway 18 (5,000-foot long by 100-foot wide asphalt runway), carburetor heat was applied and the engine power was reduced. During the descent, "power was added several times to prevent spark plug fouling." After a normal touch-and-go landing, the pilot noted all the engine instruments were "in the green," and proceeded to take off. At an altitude of approximately 300 feet agl, the pilot noticed a "large drop of rpm," and the airplane was unable to hold altitude. The pilot "pushed the nose over and landed straight ahead."

Examination of the airplane, by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed the firewall was bent, and the left and right wing spars were bent. Fuel was observed in the left and right wing fuel tanks.

The reason for the loss of engine power was undetermined.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.