Cessna 172K accident near Plains, Texas, March 22, 2022
On March 22, 2022 at about 5:00 pm local time, a 1969 Cessna 172K, registered N7199G, was substantially damaged in an accident during taxi (from runway) near Plains, Texas (Yoakum County Airport). It was an aerial observation 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 pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during taxi with a strong crosswind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 22, 2022 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Plains, Texas · Yoakum County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172K, built 1969 · all 172Ks on the register
- Registration
- N7199G · no longer on the register · serial 17258899
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After the landing the pilot stopped the airplane on the taxiway and noted that the airspeed indicator indicated almost 40 knots due to the wind. The pilot taxied the airplane toward the fuel pump with aileron crosswind correction and heard the stall warning horn sound. The wind lifted the right wing, so the pilot pulled the throttle to idle and applied the brakes. The left wing and propeller struck the ground as the wind continued to push the airplane across the ground. The left wing sustained substantial damage. After the pilot egressed, a gust of wing flipped the airplane inverted.
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 on ground during taxi (from runway) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › High wind › Effect on equipment
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › High wind › Contributed to outcome
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,468 hours in all; 1,300 in this make and model; 182 in the last 90 days; 21 in the last 30 days; 1,407 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 20, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,532 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, March 17, 2022; 24 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 4,535 hours total
- Operator: American Patriots INC
The flight
- Departed from: 7T7 Midland TX at 1:01 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 3,924 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 21 knots, gusting 34
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 23°F (-5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.08 inHg
- Observation at 11:55 am from KGNC, 34 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KGNC 221655Z AUTO 36021G34KT 4SM HZ CLR 08/M05 A3008 RMK AO2 T00821054
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on April 19, 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 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 2 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.