Textron Aviation INC 172S accident near Englewood, Colorado, May 6, 2023
On May 6, 2023 at about 3:40 pm local time, a 2020 Textron Aviation INC 172S, registered N34BL, was substantially damaged in an accident during taxi near Englewood, Colorado (Centennial airport). 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
The pilot’s decision to adjust his seat during taxi, which resulted in his seat sliding aft, and subsequent loss of directional control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 6, 2023 · about 3:40 pm local time
- Place
- Englewood, Colorado · Centennial · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Textron Aviation INC 172S, built 2020
- Registration
- N34BL · registry record · serial 172S12468
- 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 he attempted to adjust his seat while taxing the airplane. The seat slid aft, and he was unable to reach the rudder pedals. The airplane traversed across a taxiway, impacted a swale, then continued onto a runway before the pilot was able to regain control. The airplane’s rudder and lower aft fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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 defining event
- Preflight or dispatch event during prior to flight
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action sequence › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Towing and taxiing › Taxiing › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 350 hours in all; 343 in this make and model; 31 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 115 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 1, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-L2A (piston); 20,272 hours total
- Operator: American Asset Leasing LLC
The flight
- Departed from: KAPA Englewood CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 10/2, 4,800 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 am from KAPA, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KAPA 061553Z 36009KT 10SM FEW080 FEW120 14/M03 A2996 RMK AO2 SLP109 T01441033
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
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.