# N8531B: Cessna 172, registration cancelled 1991-03-22

- Type: Cancelled registration (FAA registry, deregistered aircraft)
- Cancelled: March 22, 1991
- Status when cancelled: Triennial form not returned
- Airframe: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402)
- Data sheets: [TCDS 3A12](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/3A12) (OpenAirDocs)
- Serial number: 36231
- Type of aircraft: Fixed wing single engine
- Certificate issued: November 10, 1987
- Last registry action: January 31, 1991
- Mode S code: ABB4FA
- Owner when cancelled: [Ricks John E](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/RICKS%20JOHN%20E)
- Location: [Colstrip, MT](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/MT/Colstrip)
- Owner type: Individual
- Owner's area on the map: 45.9168° N, 106.7220° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at the center of ZIP code 59323, within about 4 miles (OpenAirDocs). The owner's mailing address, not where the aircraft was based
- The mark today: https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8531B
- FAA registry: https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=8531B
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8531B-1991-03-22

From the FAA registry file of November 5, 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 172: https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172.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 SEA91FA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA046), Feb 3, 1991: Cessna C-172 (N8531B), Colstrip, MT, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL NIGHT FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, HIS LACK OF RECENT NIGHT FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, THE…

## FAA accident and incident reports (2)

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 19910202001499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910202001499A), Feb 2, 1991: Cessna 172 (N8531B), Colstrip, MT, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flying too low at night flew into side of unlighted hill. Had no recent night check out or recent night time.
- [Incident 19840827054019I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840827054019I), Aug 27, 1984: Cessna 172 (N8531B), Grand Forks, ND, Minor damage. A 172 tipped up on its nose and wing tip during taxi in strong gusty crosswind. Excessive wind for a Cessna 172.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
