Cessna 172N accident near Floresville, Texas, February 10, 2012
On February 10, 2012 at about 6:40 pm local time, a Cessna 172N, registered N5427J, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Floresville, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The medical incapacitation of the pilot due to a sudden cardiac arrhythmia or acute myocardial infarction.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 10, 2012 · about 6:40 pm local time
- Place
- Floresville, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172N · all 172Ns on the register
- Registration
- N5427J · no longer on the register · serial 17273790
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a local flight, the pilot contacted an air traffic controller and stated he was returning to his departure airfield. Subsequently, the airplane disappeared from radar, and there was no reported distress call from the pilot or witnesses to the accident. The wreckage was found in an open field. At the time of the accident, visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Impact markings were consistent with the airplane having been in about a 90-degree nose-low attitude when it impacted terrain. An examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. An autopsy performed on the pilot noted evidence of an enlarged heart and extensive coronary artery disease. Given this information and the pilot’s history of a left anterior hemiblock, it is likely that the pilot became incapacitated due to a sudden cardiac arrhythmia or acute myocardial infarction.
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
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Physical › Impairment/incapacitation › Cardiovascular › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,346 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 23, 2011; 79 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-H2AD (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Pro Flite Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: SSF San Antonio TX at 6:22 pm
- Destination: SSF San Antonio TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 4,300 ft; a few clouds at 2,400 ft
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from SSF, 15 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.