Cessna 172 Lands on Texas Highway After Engine Failure

The highway became the landing surface

A Cessna 172N experienced an engine failure while approaching Tyler Pounds Regional Airport in Texas. The pilot, Josh Carroll, landed the aircraft on Texas Highway 31 about three miles southwest of the airport. He was the only occupant and was not injured. The aircraft was reported undamaged and the highway was temporarily closed while the airplane was recovered.

The airport was no longer the immediate option

Once engine power was lost during the approach, the pilot had to choose a landing area outside the airport. Highway 31 provided a long, relatively clear surface and became the selected emergency landing site.

The landing was completed without injury

The airplane touched down on the highway and the pilot remained uninjured. The event therefore ended as a successful forced landing rather than a runway accident.

The available record does not establish why the engine failed

The incident material identifies an engine failure but does not provide a final mechanical diagnosis. No particular engine component or maintenance error is attributed here without a supporting investigation record.

The incident was reported as an: “engine failure”

Accident Facts

Sources

• Aviation Safety Network: https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/544091
• Public aviation incident reporting: https://www.faa.gov/