Cessna 182P accident near Bridgeport, Texas, November 23, 2016
On November 23, 2016 at about 5:15 pm local time, a 1972 Cessna 182P, registered N7392Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Bridgeport, Texas (Bridgeport Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to properly position the fuel selector before takeoff, which resulted a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 23, 2016 · about 5:15 pm local time
- Place
- Bridgeport, Texas · Bridgeport Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182P P, built 1972 · all 182Ps on the register
- Registration
- N7392Q · no longer on the register · serial 18261032
- 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 the takeoff was "normal" until about 200 ft above ground level, when the engine "suddenly stopped completely." Her efforts to restore engine power were not successful, and she executed a forced landing straight ahead. The airplane touched down "hard" in a pasture off the end of the runway and impacted a row of trees before coming to a stop. A witness that responded to the accident site stated that the fuel selector was in the off position. A responding law enforcement officer stated that both the pilot and passenger independently informed him that they believed the fuel selector was in the "wrong" position during takeoff. A postrecovery examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact failure or malfunction; therefore, it is likely that the engine experienced a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
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 starvation during initial climb defining event
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Forgotten action/omission › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel selector/shutoff valve › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid management
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of checklist › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 646 hours in all; 439 in this make and model; 34 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 541 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 10, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,551 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 8, 2016; 68 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,348 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor IO-470-F(37) (piston); 377 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: XBP Bridgeport TX at 5:15 pm
- Destination: BAZ New Braunfels TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 36, 4,004 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 11 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observation at 5:15 pm from XBP, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on January 11, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Conversation Summary - FAA Inspector | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Report Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Maintenance Records - Airframe | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Maintenance Records - Engine | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Maintenance Records - Propeller | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Conversation Summary - Texas Highway Patrol Trooper | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Surface Weather Observations - Kxbp | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.