Cessna 172 accident near Oak Grove, Minnesota, June 28, 2007
On June 28, 2007 at about 11:45 pm local time, a Cessna 172, registered N6267E, was substantially damaged in an accident near Oak Grove, Minnesota. It was an instructional 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
A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the unsuitable terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 28, 2007 · about 11:45 pm local time
- Place
- Oak Grove, Minnesota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N6267E · registry record · serial 46367
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane impacted trees and terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during a student solo instructional flight. The student pilot stated that he had flown for approximately 30 minutes when he lost his position. He began a descent in order to read the name of a town on a water tower when the engine began "vibrating." He then applied carburetor heat and richened the mixture, and the engine "got normal" for a few seconds. He saw that his altitude was now 2,200 feet so he turned the carburetor heat off and the engine began vibrating again accompanied by a loss in engine speed. He reapplied carburetor heat, but there was no significant change. The airplane was now at 1,800-1,900 feet and the airplane was vibrating and "slowly" losing engine speed. He then performed a landing on a field instead of a road and impacted trees. He stated that he had "very little" power to clear the trees. Examination of the engine revealed evidence of exhaust gas emanating from a hole that was located above the last fin on the upper portion of the cylinder barrel and penetrated into the 11 o'clock valve cover screw. The serviceable tag associated with the cylinder assembly was dated March 19, 2004, identified the manufacturer as Superior.
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
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 76 hours in all; 76 in this make and model; 76 in the last 90 days; 57 in the last 30 days; 38 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,706 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 1, 2007
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300A (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Air D Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: STC St. Cloud MN at 11:30 pm
- Destination: 7Y3 Backus MN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 5,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 11:50 pm from ANE, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket 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.