Cessna 172H accident near Cypress, Texas, December 29, 2020
On December 29, 2020 at about 2:00 am local time, a 1966 Cessna 172H, registered N3702R, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (descent) near Cypress, Texas. 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
A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 29, 2020 · about 2:00 am local time
- Place
- Cypress, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172H NO SERIES, built 1966 · all 172Hs on the register
- Registration
- N3702R · no longer on the register · serial 17255502
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported the engine lost power as he descended to enter the traffic pattern for landing. His efforts to restore engine power were unsuccessful and he executed a forced landing to an open field, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. A postaccident examination revealed no fuel in either fuel tank; however, fuel was present in the fuel lines. The engine was started at the accident site, and it ran for 45 seconds before it shut down. Temporary repairs were made to the right wing, fuel was added to the fuel tanks, and the airplane was ferried to an airport for further repairs. The engine operated normally during the flight. Based on the available information, it is likely that the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion.
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
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (descent) defining event
- Fuel exhaustion during enroute (descent)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid level
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Fuel planning › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 86 hours in all; 4 in this make and model; 43 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 22 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 1, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,822 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 23, 2020; 3.5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-300-D (piston); 4,651 hours total
- Operator: Texas Flight Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: AQO Llano TX at 11:30 pm
- Destination: DWH Spring TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.21 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from KDWH, 6 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KDWH 290153Z AUTO 12006KT 10SM CLR 17/13 A3021 RMK AO2 SLP229 T01670133
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on June 16, 2022. 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 -- Pilot | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 -- Operator | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Accident Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Conversation Summary -- FAA | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Conversation Summary -- Operator | 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.