Accident Details
On March 20, 2026, at approximately 1415 central daylight time, a Cessna 172P airplane, registration N65614, was substantially damaged during an accident near Denton, Texas. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight. The pilot sustained minor injuries, and the pilot-rated sensor operator sustained serious injuries.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that during the initial climb, at about 200 feet above ground level, he could feel and hear a partial loss of engine power and observed a drop in engine RPM. He attempted to restore full engine power by moving the mixture lever full forward and applying carburetor heat, but the engine continued to lose power. The pilot advised the Air Traffic tower controller, "Pipeline 614 lost our engine." The sensor operator called out possible landing areas, noting a field to the right, but the pilot stated that he determined landing straight ahead on the remaining runway was the safest option, with about half of the runway remaining.
The pilot reduced the throttle to idle, began a forward slip, lowered the flaps, and began to fly gentle S-turns. He then realized he would not have enough room to land on the remaining runway, moved the throttle lever to full forward, pitched the airplane up to climb, and retracted the flaps in an attempt to clear the trees. He stated that he may have felt a small jolt of power from the engine as he pitched up.
The airplane descended through the trees and came to rest upright.
Wreckage Examination
During the accident sequence, the right wing was separated and consumed by a post-impact fire. The right horizontal stabilizer was separated, and the fuselage, empennage, and left wing were substantially damaged. The wreckage was transported to a secure facility for further examination.