# Accident 20031121035009A: Cessna 172N, Lagrange, TX, November 21, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 21, 2003, 15:30 local time
- Place: Lagrange, TX
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 29.9133° N, 96.9500° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9133&lon=-96.9500&mi=10
- Aircraft: N739YK, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N739YK-2017-05-22) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172N (registry code 2072434, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 3,589 total, 103 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW04LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA026) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031121035009A

## Narrative

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

(-23) PILOT DEPARTED GRAYSON COUNTY AIRPORT, TEXAS (GYI) ON A VFR FLIGHT TO NEW BRAUNFELS TEXAS (BAZ). PILOT OPENED HIS FLIGHT PLAN AND PROCEEDED UNEVENTFUL UNTIL HE WAS UNABLE TO TUNE HIS NAVIGATION EQUIPMENT. HE THEN LOST HIS ORIENTATION AND BECAME OFF COURSE APPROXIMATELY 78 MILES. HIS FUEL STATE BECAME CRITICALLY LOW, UNABLE TO FIND A SUITABLE AIRPORT DUE TO HIS LOSS OF ORIENTATION HE INITIATED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING TO AN UNPREPARED FIELD. HE LANDED WITHOUT FLAPS AND EXCESSIVE SPEED, HE PROCEEDED TO STRIKE A DITCH AND PROCEED OVER A ROAD. AIRCRAFT IMPACTED A BARBED WIRE FENCE AND LARGE POST. MAJOR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE RESULTED WITH MINOR INJURIES TO PILOT AND PASSENGER.

## 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 FTW04LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA026), Nov 21, 2003: Cessna 172N (N739YK), La Grange, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to properly navigate during the day VFR cross-country flight, which resulted in the pilot becoming disoriented.

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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