On May 22, 1993, at about 1610 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N1497V was substantially damaged following a collision with a fence and terrain during an emergency landing at Athens, Tennessee. Neither the private pilot nor his passenger were injured in the accident. The aircraft was owned by Athens Air Incorporated of Athens, Tennessee, and being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight. The flight departed Murfreesboro, Tennessee at about 1500, and was destined for Athens, Tennessee. The pilot reported that during his turn from base to final for landing at Athens, the engine lost power and he was forced to execute an emergency landing short of the runway. The aircraft hit a fence short of the runway, and flipped over. Examination of the aircraft engine did not reveal any mechanical problems. There was fuel in the aircraft at the time of the accident.