Cessna 172 accident near Kingston, Oklahoma, July 22, 2019
On July 22, 2019 at about 4:50 pm local time, a 1967 Cessna 172, registered N8251L, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Kingston, Oklahoma (Lake Texoma State Park airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were 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 a stuck exhaust valve.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 22, 2019 · about 4:50 pm local time
- Place
- Kingston, Oklahoma · Lake Texoma State Park · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 H, built 1967 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N8251L · no longer on the register · serial 17256451
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The noncertificated pilot and two passengers were departing the airport for a local flight. On departure, the pilot noted that the airplane's engine did not produce full power and that the airplane would not climb as expected. The airplane collided with a sign and a vehicle before coming to rest on a golf course. Examination of the engine found that the No. 1 cylinder exhaust valve was stuck in the open position; no other anomalies were detected with the airframe and engine. It is likely that the reduced engine power was a result of the stuck exhaust valve, which would have severely limited the airplane's climb performance.
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 takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Malfunction
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Qualification/certification › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,299 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300 SER (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: F31 Kingston OK
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 3,000 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 13 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 4:50 pm from KGYI, 17 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on April 15, 2020. 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 | Engine Examination Report | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Case Notes | PDF, 1 page | 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.