Cessna 172S accident near Denton, Texas, May 13, 2026
On May 13, 2026 at about 11:15 pm local time, a 2003 Cessna 172S, registered N2134M, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Denton, Texas (Denton Enterprise 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 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
- May 13, 2026 · about 11:15 pm local time
- Place
- Denton, Texas · Denton Enterprise Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172S, built 2003 · all 172Ss on the register
- Registration
- N2134M · registry record · serial 172S9552
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On May 13, 2026, about 1815 central daylight time, a Cessna 172S, N2134M, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Denton, Texas. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that during takeoff roll the airplane hit something on the runway (later determined to be a gas cap from another airplane) that caused the airplane to become airborne below normal rotation (Vr) speed. The pilot stated that he attempted to reduce airplane pitch by pushing the yoke in, but the yoke was stuck and would not move. The airplane drifted to the left which the pilot attempted to counter with aileron and rudder input. Since he was unable to lower the nose of the airplane, and he was only about 5 to 7 feet above the ground, he elected to reduce engine power and the airplane impacted the ground.
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
- Flight control sys malf/fail during takeoff defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: US Aviation Academy
The flight
- Destination: KMWL Mineral Wells TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 6:00 pm from KDTO
Weather report (METAR): METAR KDTO 132253Z 12005KT 10SM CLR 32/15 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP142 T03170150
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.
Other NTSB records under N2134M the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.