Cessna 175B accident near Hamilton, Texas, September 5, 2012
On September 5, 2012 at about 8:55 pm local time, a Cessna 175B, registered N8260T, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Hamilton, Texas (Hamilton Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The partial loss of engine power due to an exhaust valve that was stuck in the open position.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 5, 2012 · about 8:55 pm local time
- Place
- Hamilton, Texas · Hamilton Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 175B · all 175Bs on the register
- Registration
- N8260T · no longer on the register · serial 17556960
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, about 400 feet above the ground, he sensed that the airplane was not climbing normally and that the engine was not producing takeoff power. The pilot stated that he made a forced landing after he was unable to restore takeoff power or maintain altitude. The airplane impacted a tree and descended a hill before coming to a stop. A postaccident engine examination revealed that the No. 3 cylinder exhaust valve was stuck in the full open position. No visible debris was noted under the valve seat that would have prevented the valve from closing. A stuck exhaust valve would have resulted in a loss of engine power. No additional malfunctions or failures were revealed during the engine examination that would have prevented normal operation. The engine had accumulated about 698 hours since its last major overhaul.
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 engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 31 hours in all; 31 in this make and model; 6 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,979 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 5, 2011; 26 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,350 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental GO-300-D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MNZ Hamilton TX at 8:55 pm
- Destination: MNZ Hamilton TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 4,998 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 11 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 100°F (38°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 8:55 pm from MNZ
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.