Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

July 14, 2009 · Cessna 172S · N2446F

Boyd, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 14, 2009
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Boyd, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 172S
Tail Number
N2446F
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN09LA442

The student pilot stated that he conducted a preflight inspection and engine run-up and noted no anomalies. He departed and climbed to 2,000 feet when the engine started running rough and popping. The engine rpms dropped from 2,200 to 2,000 without the throttle being moved. The pilot leaned the fuel mixture until the engine reached peak temperature and then enriched the mixture to -30 degrees. The engine roughness and popping increased and the rpms began to drop. The pilot then made a forced landing to a pasture. The airplane collided with several fixed objects and sustained structural damage to the airframe. Examination of the airframe, flight controls, engine assembly and accessories revealed no anomalies. The Pilot's Operating Handbook specified that in case of engine problems the mixture control should be set to "rich".

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power due to the pilot's improper leaning procedures, resulting in a forced landing and collision with a fence.

Full Narrative

On July 14, 2009, at 1745 central daylight time, a Cessna 172S, N2446F, registered to a private owner and operated by Sky Mays Flight Academy, experienced a total loss of engine power and made a forced landing to a pasture in the vicinity of Boyd, Texas. The instructional flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and the airplane sustained structural damage to the airframe. The student pilot reported minor injuries. The flight originated from Fort Worth Meacham International Airport (FTW), Fort Worth, Texas at 1732. The pilot stated he conducted a preflight inspection, started the engine, completed the required checklist items, taxied to the run up area and completed an engine run up, to include leaning the mixture and no anomalies were noted. He departed and climbed to 2,000 feet mean sea level when the engine started running rough and popping. The engine RPM dropped from 2,200 to 2,000 RPM without the throttle being moved. The pilot thought he had not leaned the engine to maximum power so he used the engine lean assist and "leaned it to peak temperature (getting an open box) on either cylinder 1 or 4 and enriched mixture to -30 degrees when the engine roughness and popping increased and the RPM started going down fast....I realized it was engine failure." Examination of the crash site by an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration revealed the landing gear tracks began 800 feet east of the airplane final resting place. The aircraft traveled through 600 feet of pasture before colliding with a fence, becoming airborne, crossing over a gully, and a tree line, before the right horizontal stabilizer struck a tree and the airplane impacted a berm on the opposite side of a pond. Examination of the airframe, flight controls, engine assembly and accessories revealed no anomalies.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172S
Tail NumberN2446F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-L2A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 24 · First Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 13 kt, gusting 22 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point10 C / 57
Altimeter29.85 inHg
Observation Time22:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data