Cessna 177 accident near Roanoke, Texas, May 14, 1999
On May 14, 1999 at about 6:30 pm local time, a Cessna 177, registered N2343Y, was substantially damaged in an accident near Roanoke, Texas (Northwest Regional airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The partial loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. 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
- May 14, 1999 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Roanoke, Texas · Northwest Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 177 · all 177s on the register
- Registration
- N2343Y · no longer on the register · serial 177000143
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During takeoff climb, about 200-250 feet agl, the engine started 'stuttering.' The engine rpm and airspeed started decreasing, so the student pilot lowered the airplane's nose and retracted the flaps. A magneto check resulted in no change in engine operation. He applied carburetor heat, and noted no change. Due to trees in front of the aircraft, the pilot elected to turn left. He established the best glide airspeed and continued turning left to downwind. Prior to impacting the trees, he 'pulled back [the] power' and turned off the master switch. The airplane came to rest amongst the trees. A witness reported that the engine sounded 'smooth, but not at full power.' The reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined.
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: student
- Flight time: 2,500 hours in all; 40 in this make and model; 2,500 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,548 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 10, 1998; 38 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,350 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 52F at 6:30 pm
- Destination: DMD Deming NM
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 17, 3,500 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 20 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,300 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from DFW, 13 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.