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Casualties unknown

Night VFR Flight Descends Through Overcast, Impacts Terrain in Open Field (N6072R)

Fort Stockton, TX, US

On November 1, 2002, a Cessna 172G (registration N6072R) was involved in an aviation accident near Fort Stockton, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to conduct VFR flight into IMC and his failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors were the dark night, clouds, fog, and the lack of suitable terrain. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot on a VFR night cross-country flight, concerned about fuel, descended through a solid overcast and impacted terrain in an open field. Weather near the site was 600-foot overcast, one-mile visibility in fog, calm winds.

Incident Overview

A pilot flying a VFR night cross-country flight encountered a situation that led to an accident. According to the pilot's report to an FAA inspector who visited the site, the flight was conducted above a solid overcast. Concerned about the fuel status, the pilot decided to descend the airplane through the weather. After breaking out of the overcast, the airplane impacted terrain and came to rest in an open field.

Pilot Experience

The pilot reported having accumulated approximately 2,500 total flight hours. Of these, about 1,257 hours were in military aircraft, about 400 hours in the accident make and model, and approximately 30 hours within the 30 days preceding the accident.

Weather Conditions

The weather in the vicinity of the accident was reported as a 600-foot overcast ceiling, with visibility of one mile in fog and calm winds.

Additional Details

No other information regarding the aircraft type, registration, engine count, date, operator, location, occupants, injuries, or damage was provided in the source. The FAA inspector traveled to the accident site to gather the pilot's account.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1 Nov 2002 Cessna 172G accident near Fort Stockton, TX?

A pilot on a VFR night cross-country flight, concerned about fuel, descended through a solid overcast and impacted terrain in an open field. Weather near the site was 600-foot overcast, one-mile visibility in fog, calm winds.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1 Nov 2002 involved a Cessna 172G, registration N6072R, at Fort Stockton, TX.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's decision to conduct VFR flight into IMC and his failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors were the dark night, clouds, fog, and the lack of suitable terrain.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20021106X05439. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.