# NTSB FTW03LA030: Cessna 172G, N6072R, Fort Stockton, TX, November 1, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 31, 2002, 23:10 local (Nov 1, 2002, 05:10 UTC) - Place: Fort Stockton, TX - Coordinates: 30.915555, -102.916114 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9156&lon=-102.9161&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 56000 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA030 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56000/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA030 ## 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. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, cruise - weather condition - fog (contributing factor) - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor) - vfr flight into imc - intentional, pilot in command (cause) - lack of certification, pilot in command - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported to the FAA inspector, who traveled to the accident site, that while on a VFR night cross-country flight, above a solid overcast, he became concerned about the fuel status, and elected to descend the airplane through the weather. After breaking out of the overcast, the airplane impacted terrain, coming to rest in an open field. The pilot reported having accumulated approximately 2,500 flight hours, of which about 1,257 were accumulated in military aircraft, about 400 in the accident make and model, with about 30 hours within the preceding 30 days. The weather in the vicinity of the accident was reported as a 600-foot overcast ceiling, with the visibility at one mile in fog, with calm winds. ## Factual narrative On October 31, 2002, at 2310 central standard time, a Cessna 172G single-engine airplane, N6072R, was substantially damaged upon collision with terrain while executing a precautionary landing near Fort Stockton, Texas. The non-instrument rated commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross-country flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from Wilcox, Arizona, at an undetermined time, with New Braunfels, Texas, as it's intended destination. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector, who traveled to the accident site, that during a night cross-country flight, while operating in VFR conditions above a solid overcast, he became concerned about the fuel status, and elected to descend the airplane through the weather. After breaking out of the overcast, the airplane impacted terrain, coming to rest in an open field about a mile north of the Fort Stockton Airport. Local authorities, who responded to the off-airport landing, reported that the pilot left a note on the airplane, and went to a local hotel for the night. The authorities proceeded to the motel to question the pilot. The pilot further reported having accumulated approximately 2,500 flight hours, of which about 1,257 were accumulated in military aircraft and about 400 hours in the accident make and model, with about 30 hours in the preceding 30 days. Examination of the wreckage of the 1965-model airplane (serial number 172-53741) by the FAA inspector revealed skin damage to the right wing. The right main landing gear was collapsed in the aft direction, the nose landing gear strut was broken, and the engine firewall sustained structural damage. A review of the aircraft records by the FAA inspector revealed that the airplane, which had been registered to the pilot since June 10, 2002, had accumulated approximately 3,500 hours. The inspector added that the airplane did not have a valid annual inspection and the pilot did not hold a current medical certificate. The pilot voluntarily surrendered his commercial certificate to the FAA inspector. The weather in the vicinity of the accident was reported as a 600-foot overcast ceiling, with the visibility at one mile in fog, and calm winds. Despite several attempts, the pilot failed to return a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) to the NTSB Investigator-In-Charge. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6072R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6072R-2008-07-08), registration cancelled 2008-07-08, S/N 17253741, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172G - Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172-53741 - Airframe hours: 3500 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard A. Shunk - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2001 - Departed: P33, Wilcox, AZ - Destination: BAZ, New Braunfels, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; military, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 400 in this make and model, 30 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night - Wind: calm - Visibility: 1 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast ## 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 20021031030309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021031030309A), Oct 31, 2002: Cessna 172G, Ft Stockton, TX, Substantial damage. (-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… ## Other investigations on N6072R (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 FTW72DPG01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW72DPG01), Jun 27, 1971: Cessna 172 (N6072R), Rogers, AR, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.