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March 20, 2026 · Cessna 172P · N65614

Denton, TX

Overview

Report Status
Factual report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 20, 2026
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Denton, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 172P (1982)
Tail Number
N65614
Operator
American Patrols
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN26LA143

On March 20, 2026, about 1415 central daylight time, a Cessna 172P airplane, N65614, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Denton, Texas. The pilot sustained minor injuries, and the pilot-rated sensor operator sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight. The pilot reported that during the initial climb, about 200 ft above ground level, he could “feel and hear” a partial loss of engine power and observed a drop in engine RPM. He attempted to restore full engine power by moving the mixture lever full forward and applying carburetor heat. However, the engine continued to lose power. The pilot advised the Air Traffic tower controller, "Pipeline 614 lost our engine." The sensor operator called out possible landing areas, noting "a field to the right," but the pilot stated that he determined landing straight ahead on the remaining runway was the safest option, with about half of the runway remaining. The pilot reduced the throttle to idle, began a forward slip, lowered the flaps, and began to fly gentle S-turns. He then realized he would not have enough room to land on the remaining runway, moved the throttle lever to full forward, pitched the airplane up to climb, and retracted the flaps in an attempt to clear the trees. He stated that he may have felt a “small jolt” of power from the engine as he pitched up. The airplane descended through the trees and came to rest upright. During the accident sequence, the right wing was separated and consumed by a post-impact fire. The right horizontal stabilizer was separated, and the fuselage, empennage, and left wing were substantially damaged. The wreckage was transported to a secure facility for further examination.

Full Narrative

On March 20, 2026, about 1415 central daylight time, a Cessna 172P airplane, N65614, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Denton, Texas. The pilot sustained minor injuries, and the pilot-rated sensor operator sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight. The pilot reported that during the initial climb, about 200 ft above ground level, he could “feel and hear” a partial loss of engine power and observed a drop in engine RPM. He attempted to restore full engine power by moving the mixture lever full forward and applying carburetor heat. However, the engine continued to lose power. The pilot advised the Air Traffic tower controller, "Pipeline 614 lost our engine." The sensor operator called out possible landing areas, noting "a field to the right," but the pilot stated that he determined landing straight ahead on the remaining runway was the safest option, with about half of the runway remaining. The pilot reduced the throttle to idle, began a forward slip, lowered the flaps, and began to fly gentle S-turns. He then realized he would not have enough room to land on the remaining runway, moved the throttle lever to full forward, pitched the airplane up to climb, and retracted the flaps in an attempt to clear the trees. He stated that he may have felt a “small jolt” of power from the engine as he pitched up. The airplane descended through the trees and came to rest upright. During the accident sequence, the right wing was separated and consumed by a post-impact fire. The right horizontal stabilizer was separated, and the fuselage, empennage, and left wing were substantially damaged. The wreckage was transported to a secure facility for further examination.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 CDT
Nearest AirportDenton Enterprise (1nm NE)
Runway18L/
Runway Length7002 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN65614
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAmerican Patrols
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 F
Altimeter29.99 inHg
Observation Time14:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data