# Accident 20260301002039A: Cessna 172S, Carthage, NC, March 1, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 1, 2026, 17:30 local time
- Place: Carthage, NC
- Airport: Gilliam - Mcconnell Airfield
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.3409° N, 79.4357° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3409&lon=-79.4357&mi=10
- Aircraft: N972WW, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N972WW) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172S (registry code 2072439, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming IO-360-L2A (registry code 41597, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172S
- Reported engine: LYCOMING IO-360-L2A
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 166 total, 20 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA26LA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA143) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260301002039A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

DURING AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE CE-172 STRUCK TREE TOPS WITH RIGHT WING WHILE ON FINAL APRROACH TO RUNWAY 31 AT BQ1.  A GO AROUND WAS EXECUTED. PILOTS REPORTED WEATHER AT TIME OF ACCIDENT AS VMC WITH LITTLE TO NO WIND.  AIRCRAFT RETURNED TO HOME AIRPORT AND LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (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 ERA26LA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA143), Mar 1, 2026: Cessna 172 (N972WW), Carthage, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees while on final approach for landing. Contributing to the accident were the flight instructor’s inadequate remedial actions.

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. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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