# Accident 20021031030309A: Cessna 172G, Ft Stockton, TX, October 31, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 31, 2002, 23:00 local time
- Place: Ft Stockton, TX
- Airport: Ft Stockton-Pecos County Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 30.9156° N, 102.9161° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9156&lon=-102.9161&mi=10
- Aircraft: N6072R, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6072R-2008-07-08) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172G (registry code 2072420, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental 0-300 series (registry code 17022, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW03LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA030) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021031030309A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON OCTOBER 31, 2002, AT 2310 CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME, A CESSNA 172G, N6072R WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING A COLLISION WITH TERRAIN WHILE EXECUTING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING BECAUSE OF LOW FUEL/FUEL EXHAUSTION 1 MILE FROM FORT STOCKTON, TEXAS MUNICIPAL AIRPORT. NIGHT INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AND A FLIGHT PLAN WAS NOT FILED. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED COMMERCIAL PILOT (SOLE OCCUPANT) DEPARTED WILCOX, AZ WITH AN INTENDED DESTINATION OF NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS. HE STATED HE WAS OPERATING IN VFR CONDITIONS ABOVE A SOLID OVERCAST, BECAME CONCERNED ABOUT HIS FUEL AND ELECTED TO DESCEND THROUGH WEATHER NOT BEING ABLE TO REACH THE NEAREST AIRPORT. THE PILOT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES TO HIS FACE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW03LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA030), Nov 1, 2002: Cessna 172G (N6072R), Fort Stockton, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's decision to conduct VFR flight into IMC and his failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors were the dark night, clouds, fog, and the lack of suitable terrain.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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