November 23, Prestonsburg, Ky. / Cessna 172

At about 1630 eastern time, a Cessna 172K made a forced landing in a field after losing engine power near Prestonsburg. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured, but the airplane was damaged. The pilots reported the engine began to run rough while in cruise flight and the oil pressure indication dropped to zero. Investigation revealed a 2-inch hole in top of the engine crankcase. The engine had accumulated about 2,400 hours of operation since its last overhaul, which was conducted in 1986. The oil had been changed two days prior to the accident as part of a 50-hour inspection.