# N72973: 1946 Cessna 120, registration cancelled 2013-05-07

- Type: Cancelled registration (FAA registry, deregistered aircraft)
- Cancelled: May 7, 2013
- Status when cancelled: Registration expired, pending cancellation
- Airframe: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402)
- Engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008)
- Data sheets: [TCDS A-768](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A-768), [TCDS E-233](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/E-233) (OpenAirDocs)
- Serial number: 10174
- Year built: 1946
- Type of aircraft: Fixed wing single engine
- Engine type: Reciprocating
- Airworthiness: Standard
- Airworthiness date: April 9, 1956
- Certificate issued: March 12, 1979
- Last registry action: March 7, 1992
- Mode S code: A9C864
- Owners when cancelled: [Pardee Douglas L](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/PARDEE%20DOUGLAS%20L), [Pardee Saralee](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/PARDEE%20SARALEE)
- Location: [Wilmington, NC](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/NC/Wilmington)
- Owner type: Co-owned
- Owner's area on the map: 34.2642° N, 77.8683° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at the center of ZIP code 28405, within about 3 miles (OpenAirDocs). The owner's mailing address, not where the aircraft was based
- The mark today: https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N72973
- FAA registry: https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=72973
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72973-2013-05-07

From the FAA registry file of October 29, 2026, cancelled registrations. Owners' street addresses are left out. The Mode S code belongs to the N-number, not the airframe.

ADs and bulletins for the Cessna 120: https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120.md

## NTSB investigations (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ATL92LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA094), May 3, 1992: Cessna 120 (N72973), Wilmington, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN PROPER ASSISTANCE DURING THE ENGINE STARTING PROCEDURE, AND HIS FAILURE TO PROPERLY ATTEND TO THE AIRPLANE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING.

## FAA accident and incident reports (1)

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [Accident 19920503027289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920503027289A), May 3, 1992: Cessna 120 (N72973), Wilmington, NC, Substantial damage. Started engine by propping. No chocks. Throttle half open. Knocked pilot down. Aircraft then struck 2 fuel trucks.

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