Cessna 172S accident near Spicewood, Texas, December 31, 2006
On December 31, 2006 at about 7:15 pm local time, a Cessna 172S, registered N988SP, was substantially damaged in an accident near Spicewood, Texas (Spicewood, Tx 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 failure to compensate for the existing wind conditions resulting in a loss of directional control. Factors were the gusty crosswind and the muddy terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 31, 2006 · about 7:15 pm local time
- Place
- Spicewood, Texas · Spicewood, Tx
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172S · all 172Ss on the register
- Registration
- N988SP · registry record · serial 172S8207
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The 270-hour private pilot lost directional control of the single-engine airplane during a crosswind landing on runway 35. Runway 35 was reported as a dry 4,185-foot long by 30-foot wide asphalt runway. The pilot stated in the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that "while slowing down on the runway, a sudden gust blew the airplane to the right (east) and off the runway." Subsequently, the "nose gear dug into the mud and collapsed causing the airplane to flip onto its back." The pilot was able to exit the aircraft through the cabin door and sustained no injuries. The airplane sustained structural damage. Weather reported at a facility 25 nautical miles to the east included wind from 300 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 22 knots, clear skies, and 10 miles visibility.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 270 hours in all; 12 in this make and model; 1 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 201 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 906 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2006
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-L2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KSAT San Antonio TX at 6:15 pm
- Destination: 88R Spicewood TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 4,185 ft by 30 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 12 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 4:30 pm from KAUS, 50 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.