Cessna 172M accident near Mount Selman, Texas, February 20, 2002
On February 20, 2002 at about 3:30 pm local time, a Cessna 172M, registered N238NY, was substantially damaged in an accident near Mount Selman, Texas (Tarrant Field). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the loss of engine power for an undetermined reason, which resulted in a forced landing. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 20, 2002 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- Mount Selman, Texas · Tarrant Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172M · all 172Ms on the register
- Registration
- N238NY · no longer on the register · serial 17265540
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During an airplane familiarization flight, the flight instructor (CFI) moved the throttle to idle to simulate an engine failure. During the ensuing simulated emergency downwind approach to a grass airstrip, the private pilot, who was receiving instruction, performed the emergency engine failure procedures, turned the carburetor heat to the on position, and extended the flaps to the 20-degree position. The CFI stated that the private pilot cleared the engine one time during the approach, and she briefed him on the downwind landing. The airplane touched down within the first 1,000 feet of the 2,700 foot-long airstrip, and the CFI then instructed the private pilot to go-around. The CFI stated that she retracted the flaps to the 10-degree position and once clear of power lines, she retracted the remainder of the flaps; however, the airplane then began losing altitude. The CFI stated that she then took control of the airplane. The private pilot reported that he landed the airplane and relinquished control to the CFI. The CFI applied full power and established a positive rate-of-climb, and the airplane cleared power lines. The airplane's engine then began losing power, and the airplane began to sink. Subsequently, the airplane contacted trees at the departure end of the airstrip and impacted the ground. Examination of the airplane's engine did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would preclude its 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
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,106 hours in all; 553 in this make and model; 136 in the last 90 days; 60 in the last 30 days; 982 as pilot in command; 768 on instruments
- Last flight review: January 27, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 58 hours in all; 1 in this make and model; 33 in the last 90 days; 19 in the last 30 days; 15 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 15, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,470 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 17, 2002; 70 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4M (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TYR Tyler TX at 2:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 12, 2,700 ft by 50 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from TYR, 19 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 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.