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

June 12, 2024 · Cessna 172 R · N656MA

Gainesville, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 12, 2024
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Gainesville, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 172 R
Tail Number
N656MA
Operator
Wings Over Texas Holdings
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN24FA218

On June 11, 2024, about 2045 central daylight time, a Cessna 172R, N656MA was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Gainesville, Texas. The flight instructor was fatally injured, and the student was seriously injured. The flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 141 as an instructional flight. Airport video surveillance showed a fuel truck fueling N656MA about 0625 on the day of the accident flight. Fuel records indicated that N656MA was filled with 32.4 gallons of fuel. Flight logs indicated that N656MA only flew once on June 11th, the accident flight. Airport surveillance video showed the flight instructor and student visually inspecting the fuel tanks on each wing during the preflight check at 1912. The airplane departed Denton Enterprise Airport (DTO) in Denton, Texas, about 1948. Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) indicated that the instructor and student departed to the northwest of DTO, maneuvered, flew to Gainesville Municipal Airport (GLE) in Gainesville, Texas, and made multiple takeoffs and landings at GLE. The airplane impacted a grassy cow pasture about .5 miles northwest of the departure end of runway 36 at GLE. On the north end of the cow pasture, there were telephone wires about 35 ft above ground level. The left wingtip struck the ground first about 95 ft south of the telephone wires. There were shards of red plastic embedded in the dirt. About 32 ft south of the left wingtip impact location, the propeller, still attached at the flange, was found partially embedded in the dirt. One blade was buried about 8 inches deep, and the other blade was resting on the ground. A single propeller strike about 5 inches deep, preceded the propeller assembly. Lying next to the propeller was the starter gear ring. Lying about 18 ft south of the propeller, was the bottom part of the cowling. The main wreckage was found about 39 ft south of where the bottom part of the cowling was located. From the left wingtip strike to the main wreckage was about 89 ft in length along a heading of about 180°. The main wreckage came to rest on a heading of about 055°. The debris field contained pieces of broken windshield, a small piece of the outboard side of the left aileron, and the left door. Both wings, and the empennage were still attached to the fuselage. The engine was still attached at the firewall. The engine driven fuel pump and the fuel manifold were retained for further examination.

NTSB Probable Cause

The fuel pump manufacturer’s improper torquing of screws on the engine-driven fuel pump, which resulted in a disruption in the fuel system and a loss of engine power on initial climb.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn June 11, 2024, about 2045 central daylight time, a Cessna 172R airplane, N656MA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Gainesville, Texas. The flight instructor was fatally injured, and the student pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. Airport video surveillance showed a fuel truck fueling the airplane about 0625 on the day of the accident. Fuel records indicated that the airplane was filled with 32.4 gallons of fuel. Flight logs indicated that the airplane only flew once (the accident flight) on the day of the accident. Airport surveillance video showed the flight instructor and student pilot visually inspecting the fuel tanks on each wing during the preflight check about 1912. ADS-B data indicated that the airplane departed Denton Enterprise Airport (DTO), Denton, Texas, about 1948. The flight instructor and student pilot departed to the northwest of DTO, maneuvered, flew to Gainesville Municipal Airport (GLE), Gainesville, Texas, and made multiple takeoffs and landings at GLE. According to the student pilot, he and his flight instructor were practicing takeoffs and landings at GLE. On the third takeoff, his flight instructor stated that they were too low and not climbing, so the flight instructor tried to add more power. Then the engine stopped, and the propeller windmilled. The student pilot stated that they were about 100 ft above ground level when the engine stopped. They glided the airplane to a field and hit the ground hard, bounced, and hit the ground harder. AIRCRAFT INFORMATIONA review of maintenance logbooks revealed that the airplane had a 100-hour inspection on May 14, 2024. The airplane’s engine was overhauled in May 2019, and the company that performed the overhaul installed a new Tempest engine-driven fuel pump (part number AF15473, serial number 066J15) at that time. The engine overhaul company purchased the fuel pump in April 2019 directly from the fuel pump manufacturer. According to the fuel pump manufacturer, the fuel pump was not a field-serviceable unit, so if the fuel pump needed to be serviced, it would need to go back to the manufacturer for servicing. A review of maintenance logbooks did not indicate that the fuel pump was removed or serviced once it left the engine overhaul facility in May 2019. AIRPORT INFORMATIONA review of maintenance logbooks revealed that the airplane had a 100-hour inspection on May 14, 2024. The airplane’s engine was overhauled in May 2019, and the company that performed the overhaul installed a new Tempest engine-driven fuel pump (part number AF15473, serial number 066J15) at that time. The engine overhaul company purchased the fuel pump in April 2019 directly from the fuel pump manufacturer. According to the fuel pump manufacturer, the fuel pump was not a field-serviceable unit, so if the fuel pump needed to be serviced, it would need to go back to the manufacturer for servicing. A review of maintenance logbooks did not indicate that the fuel pump was removed or serviced once it left the engine overhaul facility in May 2019. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATIONThe airplane impacted a grassy cow pasture about 0.5 mile northwest of the departure end of runway 36 at GLE. The left wing tip struck the ground first about 95 ft south of telephone wires that ran east to west along the field. About 32 ft south of the left wing tip impact location, the propeller, still attached at the flange, was found partially embedded in the dirt. One blade was buried about 8 inches deep, and the other blade was resting on the ground. A single propeller strike, about 5 inches deep, preceded the propeller assembly. Lying next to the propeller was the starter gear ring. Lying about 18 ft south of the propeller was the bottom part of the cowling. The main wreckage was found about 39 ft south of where the bottom part of the cowling was located. The distance from the left wing tip strike to the main wreckage was about 89 ft along a heading of about 180°. The main wreckage came to rest on a heading of about 055°. The debris field contained pieces of broken windshield, a small piece of the outboard side of the left aileron, and the left door. Both wings and the empennage were still attached to the fuselage. The engine was still attached at the firewall. The master switch (battery and alternator) was found in the On position. The ignition was in the Both position. The throttle and mixture controls were in the full forward position. The left wing fuel tank was breached; the right wing fuel tank was not breached. A strong smell consistent with 100LL aviation fuel was present, and fuel blight could be seen on the grass underneath the wings. About 40 ounces of fuel was removed from the left wing fuel tank, and 56 ounces of fuel was removed from the right wing fuel tank. The fuel line between the fuel shutoff valve and the fuel strainer bowl was found separated. The fuel strainer bowl had fuel in it. The fuel selector handle was found just to the right of the Both detent position. The fuel header tank was removed, and the tank was intact and contained fuel. The fuel in the header tank was tested for water with water-finding paste, and no water was detected. During the on-scene examination, the engine-driven fuel pump was found tightly installed to the accessory section of the engine. The pump was removed along with its inlet and outlet hoses. The hose from the fuel pump to the fuel servo had about 1 ounce of fuel in it. The line from the outlet of the fuel servo to the fuel manifold had trace amounts of fuel, and a trace amount of fuel was found within the fuel manifold. There was no fuel in any of the 4 injector fuel lines. The top 5 screws on the engine-driven fuel pump were loose. Two fingers on a screwdriver were enough to turn each screw. According to the fuel pump manufacturer, the screws on the fuel pump should be torqued to 30 to 45 inch-pounds, and if the screws are not properly torqued, the clamping force on the top 2 diaphragms could be compromised, which could lead to the fuel pump ingesting air and not operating properly. The manufacturer also stated that before the fuel pumps are stocked or shipped from their facility, they are visually inspected, at which time torque striping is applied to at least 2 of the screws. The fuel pump on the accident airplane had a torque stripe on one of the top screws and 2 of the bottom screws. All 3 torque stripes were aligned and unbroken. The fuel pump was placed in a vice and actuated by hand. Air bubbles and oil were observed along the split line of the top cap. All diaphragms were found intact with no damage or debris. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATIONAn autopsy was conducted on the flight instructor by the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences at Dallas – Office of the Medical Examiner. The cause of death was “multiple injuries.” Toxicological testing of the flight instructor’s specimens was conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration Office of Forensic Sciences, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Diphenhydramine was detected in cavity blood (100 ng/mL) and urine (detected only – no amount). Diphenhydramine is a sedating antihistamine medication widely available over the counter in multiple sleep aids and cold and allergy products. Diphenhydramine can cause cognitive and psychomotor slowing and drowsiness and often carries a warning about driving and operating machinery.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:45 CDT
Nearest AirportGainesville Muni (0.5nm NNW)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172 R
Tail NumberN656MA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWings Over Texas Holdings
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-L2A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 27 · First Class · Fatal
Crew 2Age 26 · First Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind80° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter29.94 inHg
Observation Time20:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data