Cessna 172P accident near Denton, Texas, March 20, 2026
On March 20, 2026 at about 7:15 pm local time, a 1982 Cessna 172P, registered N65614, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Denton, Texas (Denton Enterprise airport). It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 20, 2026 · about 7:15 pm local time
- Place
- Denton, Texas · Denton Enterprise · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172P, built 1982 · all 172Ps on the register
- Registration
- N65614 · registry record · serial 17275785
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On March 20, 2026, about 1415 central daylight time, a Cessna 172P airplane, N65614, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Denton, Texas. The pilot sustained minor injuries, and the pilot-rated sensor operator sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight. The pilot reported that during the initial climb, about 200 ft above ground level, he could “feel and hear” a partial loss of engine power and observed a drop in engine RPM. He attempted to restore full engine power by moving the mixture lever full forward and applying carburetor heat. However, the engine continued to lose power. The pilot advised the Air Traffic tower controller, "Pipeline 614 lost our engine." The sensor operator called out possible landing areas, noting "a field to the right," but the pilot stated that he determined landing straight ahead on the remaining runway was the safest option, with about half of the runway remaining. The pilot reduced the throttle to idle, began a forward slip, lowered the flaps, and began to fly gentle S-turns. He then realized he would not have enough room to land on the remaining runway, moved the throttle lever to full forward, pitched the airplane up to climb, and retracted the flaps in an attempt to clear the trees. He stated that he may have felt a “small jolt” of power from the engine as he pitched up. The airplane descended through the trees and came to rest upright. During the accident sequence, the right wing was separated and consumed by a post-impact fire. The right horizontal stabilizer was separated, and the fuselage, empennage, and left wing were substantially damaged. The wreckage was transported to a secure facility for further examination.
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
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: American Patrols INC
The flight
- Destination: 7T7 Midland TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18L/, 7,002 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.99 inHg
- Observation at 2:00 pm from KDTO
Weather report (METAR): METAR KDTO 201853Z 23012KT 10SM CLR 29/12 A2999 RMK AO2 SLP149 T02890117
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | 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.