What happened
On January 13, 2026, at approximately 15:30 EST, a Cessna 177B, registration N34959, was involved in an accident near Ocoee, Tennessee. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal use.
The aircraft had been undergoing maintenance for 11 months following a propeller strike, with repairs and an annual inspection completed the day before the flight. After refueling and conducting a preflight inspection that revealed no issues, the pilot departed from Lovell Field Airport (CHA) in Chattanooga, Tennessee, heading east.
While cruising at 4,500 feet MSL, the engine RPM increased to 3,000 RPM, which was 300 RPM above the maximum operating limit, and was followed by engine vibration. The pilot declared an emergency with air traffic control but determined the nearest airport was unreachable. The pilot subsequently initiated a forced landing in a field. During the landing rollout, the aircraft entered a wooded area and struck trees.
The pilot sustained one minor injury, and there were no fatalities.