Cessna 172L accident near Canyon Lake, Texas, May 28, 2022
On May 28, 2022 at about 11:20 pm local time, a 1971 Cessna 172L, registered N3842Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Canyon Lake, Texas (Canyon Lake Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to retract the flaps during a go-around, which resulted in decreased climb performance and a subsequent collision with trees and terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 28, 2022 · about 11:20 pm local time
- Place
- Canyon Lake, Texas · Canyon Lake Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172L, built 1971 · all 172Ls on the register
- Registration
- N3842Q · no longer on the register · serial 17259942
- 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 during landing, the airplane encountered a wind gust that yawed the airplane left. The pilot applied full throttle, turned off the carburetor heat, and initiated a go-around, but did not retract the flaps. The airplane continued left as the pilot attempted to climb, but ultimately it collided with trees and then terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. An examination of the airplane at the accident site showed that the wing flaps were extended at least 30°. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane flight manual states that during a botched landing or go-around, the flaps should be retracted to 20° after full power is applied and should remain between 10° and 20° until obstacles are cleared.
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
- Collision during takeoff/land during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on equipment
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 90.5 hours in all; 85 in this make and model; 14.9 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 47.1 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 19, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,721.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 18, 2022
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 2,006 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19, 2,600 ft by 45 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 95°F (35°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.74 inHg
- Observation at 6:51 pm from KBAZ, 16 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KBAZ 282351Z AUTO 15013KT 10SM CLR 35/16 A2974 RMK AO2 SLP061 T03500156 10367 20333 56022
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on July 22, 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (Owner) | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record A�� Accident Details | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Cessna 172 Owners Manual Excerpts | PDF, 5 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.