Pilot Described The Loss Of Power As A Smooth Reduction Of Power To Idle

Location: Louisburg, NC Accident Number: ERA25LA188
Date & Time: April 23, 2025, 17:03 Local Registration: N6386V
Aircraft: Cessna 172RG Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On April 23, 2025, about 1703 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172RG, N6386V, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Louisburg, North Carolina. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane. During the inspection, he found water while sampling fuel from the fuel tanks. The pilot continued to sample fuel from the fuel tanks until no more water was found. He then rocked the wings to release any trapped water and sampled fuel from the fuel tanks again until there was no water found. He reported that the wing fuel tanks were about half full of fuel.

The engine start and run-up were normal, with no abnormalities noted by the pilot. About 1702, the pilot entered the runway and applied full power for takeoff. With all engine indications normal, he released the brakes and began the takeoff roll. When the airplane reached an airspeed of 55 knots, the pilot increased the airplane’s pitch attitude and began climbing out at an airspeed 70 knots. When no usable runway remained, the pilot selected the landing gear to the up position, and he reported “the moment the landing pump switched on the engine lost power.” 

The pilot described the loss of power as a smooth reduction of power to idle, where the engine stayed. He selected the landing gear to the down position, reduced the throttle control, and attempted to land on the remaining runway and runoff area. After realizing he could not, he attempted to glide over an airport perimeter fence. During the glide, he applied full throttle, and the engine revved to about 1,900 rpm before reducing uncommanded again to idle. The landing gear impacted the perimeter fence, the horizontal stabilizer impacted a fence pole, and the airplane impacted a road near the airport perimeter, sliding off the road and into a field. The horizontal stabilizer sustained substantial damage during the accident sequence. 

The wreckage was retained for further examination. 

FMI: www.ntsb.gov