# NTSB CEN22LA222: Cessna 172L, N3842Q, Canyon Lake, TX, May 28, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: May 28, 2022, 18:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Canyon Lake, TX
- Coordinates: 29.916957, -98.246684 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9170&lon=-98.2467&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 105173
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA222
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105173/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105173
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA222

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to retract the flaps during a go-around, which resulted in decreased climb performance and a subsequent collision with trees and terrain.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during landing, the airplane encountered a wind gust that yawed the airplane left. The pilot applied full throttle, turned off the carburetor heat, and initiated a go-around, but did not retract the flaps. The airplane continued left as the pilot attempted to climb, but ultimately it collided with trees and then terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. An examination of the airplane at the accident site showed that the wing flaps were extended at least 30°. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane flight manual states that during a botched landing or go-around, the flaps should be retracted to 20° after full power is applied and should remain between 10° and 20° until obstacles are cleared.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3842Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3842Q-2023-04-21), registration cancelled 2023-04-21, S/N 17259942, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172L
- Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17259942
- Year built: 1971
- Airframe hours: 4721.63
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Altus Aircraft LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 2022
- Airport: 34TS, Canyon Lake Airport, runway 19, 2,600 × 45 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 19, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 90.5 total, 85 in this make and model, 47.1 as pilot in command, 14.9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3.3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.74 inHg
- Observed at: KBAZ, 16 nm away
- METAR: KBAZ 282351Z AUTO 15013KT 10SM CLR 35/16 A2974 RMK AO2 SLP061 T03500156 10367 20333 56022

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20220528009069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220528009069A), May 28, 2022: Cessna 172L, Canyon Lake, TX, Substantial damage. On may 28, 2022, at 1821 CST, [privacy data omitted], a Cessna CE-172L, [privacy data omitted] and [privacy data omitted] went out of control during its…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 22, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105173. 12.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (pilot) (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 6.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13965586&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20-%20pilot%202_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (owner) (item 2, PDF, 12 pages, 5.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14142293&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20-%20owner_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record a�� accident details (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 157 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14141694&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MFR%20-%20Accident%20details-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 3 photos, 848 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14140239&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=-%20Docket%20photos-Rel.pdf
- Cessna 172 owners manual excerpts (item 5, PDF, 5 pages, 564 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14139658&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Excerpt%20Cessna%20172%20manual-Rel.pdf

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.

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