FTW94LA047

Factual narrative

On December 11, 1993, at 1757 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-180, N8835J, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Fort Worth, Texas. The commercial pilot and his three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. No flight plan was filed. The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator Report form that he experienced a loss of engine power during the initial takeoff climb, approximately 50 to 75 feet above the ground. He landed straight ahead on the runway and applied full brakes. However, the aircraft overran the departure end of the runway, proceeded through a fence, and struck a fence post prior to coming to rest. A witness on the ground stated that when the aircraft was "at an approximate altitude of 75 to 100 feet, the engine quit abruptly." He further stated that "there was a slight backfire" at the same moment. "The only other sound from the engine was a little burst of power when the pilot lowered the nose of the aircraft." Two airframe and powerplant mechanics who performed an engine run stated that "no abnormal signs were detected." DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKE OFF, THE AIRCRAFT LOST ENGINE POWER. WITNESSES ON THE GROUND REPORTED THE ENGINE QUIT AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET. THEY ALSO REPORTED SEEING BLACK SMOKE BEING EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE. THE PILOT LANDED STRAIGHT AHEAD ON THE DEPARTURE RUNWAY. DUE TO THE LACK OF REMAINING RUNWAY, THE AIRPLANE RAN THROUGH A FENCE LINE. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AND AN ENGINE TEST RUN FAILED TO REVEAL ANY ANOMALIES. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12