Accident Overview
On September 20, 2024, at approximately 1543 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172K airplane, registration N7037G, was substantially damaged in an accident near Spartanburg, South Carolina. The commercial pilot reported minor injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a flight test.
Flight Details
The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to perform a local break-in flight for a recently installed engine. No anomalies were found during preflight inspection, engine run-up checks, or takeoff roll. During the initial climb at an altitude of about 100 feet, the pilot observed a decline in RPM followed by a total loss of engine power. With no remaining runway and unable to return to the airport, the pilot elected to perform a forced landing in a field.
Accident Sequence
During the landing roll in the field, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted approximately 0.3 miles northeast of the runway. The fuselage, wings, and vertical stabilizer sustained substantial damage. The airplane was recovered and retained for further examination.