Cessna 172S accident near Boyd, Texas, July 14, 2009
On July 14, 2009 at about 10:45 pm local time, a Cessna 172S, registered N2446F, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (descent) near Boyd, Texas. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to the pilot's improper leaning procedures, resulting in a forced landing and collision with a fence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 14, 2009 · about 10:45 pm local time
- Place
- Boyd, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172S · all 172Ss on the register
- Registration
- N2446F · no longer on the register · serial 172S10116
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The student pilot stated that he conducted a preflight inspection and engine run-up and noted no anomalies. He departed and climbed to 2,000 feet when the engine started running rough and popping. The engine rpms dropped from 2,200 to 2,000 without the throttle being moved. The pilot leaned the fuel mixture until the engine reached peak temperature and then enriched the mixture to -30 degrees. The engine roughness and popping increased and the rpms began to drop. The pilot then made a forced landing to a pasture. The airplane collided with several fixed objects and sustained structural damage to the airframe. Examination of the airframe, flight controls, engine assembly and accessories revealed no anomalies. The Pilot's Operating Handbook specified that in case of engine problems the mixture control should be set to "rich".
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Fuel related during enroute (descent)
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (descent) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Student pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Fence/fence post › Contributed to outcome
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 35 hours in all; 35 in this make and model; 22 in the last 90 days; 5 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,004 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, April 23, 2009; 81 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-L2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FTW Fort Worth TX at 10:15 pm
- Destination: FTW Fort Worth TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 13 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 102°F (39°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.85 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from FTW, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.