Cessna A185 accident near Conroe, Texas, September 21, 2019
On September 21, 2019 at about 11:25 pm local time, a 1974 Cessna A185, registered CGOZJ, was destroyed in an accident during takeoff near Conroe, Texas (Conroe-North Houston Rgnl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power due to fuel contamination with water, and the pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during an attempted return to the airport shortly after takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 21, 2019 · about 11:25 pm local time
- Place
- Conroe, Texas · Conroe-North Houston Rgnl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna A185 F, built 1974 · all A185s on the register
- Registration
- CGOZJ · no longer on the register · serial 18502526
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and pilot-rated passenger had just departed and planned to depart the airport area. During the initial takeoff climb, the pilot-rated passenger reported to air traffic control that she had a “fuel issue/problem” and was going to return to the airport. A witness stated that the engine made a loud "pop pop" sound followed by a decrease in engine power. A few seconds later, the witness heard the engine power increase again. According to the air traffic controller, the airplane’s left bank continued to increase, and he cleared the airplane to land on any runway. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain in a nose-low attitude. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the left wing contained about one gallon of fuel and about 6 oz of water. The source of the water could not be determined. No other anomalies were noted with the airframe. Examination and a functional test of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. It is likely that the engine lost power shortly after takeoff due to the water contamination found in the fuel tank. It is also likely that during the steep bank turn towards the airport, the pilot allowed the airplane to exceed the critical angle of attack which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with the ground. Based on the toxicology results, it is likely that the pilot had taken the sedating prescription medication clonazepam. Clonazepam is used to treat seizure disorder and panic disorder. The inactive metabolite was detected in blood and urine suggesting the use of the medication occurred several days before the accident. Given the lack of the active compound it is unlikely the pilot’s use of clonazepam contribute to this accident. Ethanol was detected in the pilot’s blood, but not in his urine. It is likely that the identified ethanol was from sources other than ingestion and did not contribute to this accident.
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 takeoff
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
- Loss of engine power (partial) during maneuvering
- Fuel contamination during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid condition
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Water › Related operating info
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Capability exceeded
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 705.1 hours in all; 218.1 in this make and model; 648.3 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 16, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 119.6 hours in all; 36.7 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,454.4 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 29, 2019
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental Motors IO-520-D30B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 14, 7,501 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from KCXO, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
15 documents, released by the NTSB on September 21, 2021. 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.
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.