# NTSB investigations: Cessna 172M: Loss of control in flight

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ERA26LA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA159.md): Cessna 172M · Lakeland, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report · Apr 5, 2026 · N61972 · Substantial damage
  > On April 05, 2026, at 0007 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M airplane, N61972, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lakeland, Florida. The pilot and certified flight instructor (CFI) rated passenger were uninjured. The…
- [NTSB ANC25LA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA020.md): Cessna 172M · Kapolei, HI · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 20, 2025 · N19867 · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to avoid wake turbulence from a heavy airplane departing from a parallel runway, which resulted in a loss of airplane control during initial climb after a touch-and-go landing.
- [NTSB ERA24LA348](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA348.md): Cessna 172 · Orlando, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 16, 2024 · N61859 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during while landing with a crosswind. Contributing was the instructor’s delayed remedial action.
- [NTSB CEN24LA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA178.md): Cessna 172M · Midland, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 8, 2024 · N69PW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during a go-around in a gusting crosswind, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of system knowledge regarding the operation of the…
- [NTSB ERA24LA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA204.md): Cessna 172M · Westminster, MD · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 1, 2024 · N1377U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to attain a proper touchdown point during a simulated loss of engine power approach, which resulted in a hard landing short of the runway. Also causal was the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action during the approach and subsequent…
- [NTSB ERA24LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA030.md): Cessna 172 · Pembroke Pines, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 31, 2023 · N140FS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control and descent into terrain due to spatial disorientation during a solo night cross country flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s self-reported fatigue.
- [NTSB WPR23LA325](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA325.md): Cessna 172M · Carson City, NV · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 25, 2023 · N4432R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during an aborted landing in gusting wind conditions.
- [NTSB ERA23LA328](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA328.md): Cessna 172 · Charlotte Amalie, CB · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 4, 2023 · N13384 · Destroyed
  > The pilots’ loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was both pilots’ lack of experience in operating in actual instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB ERA22LA298](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA298.md): Cessna 172 · Akron, OH · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 4, 2022 · N12115 · Substantial damage
  > The pilots’ improper preflight fuel planning and in-flight fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
- [NTSB ERA22LA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA263.md): Cessna 172 · Westminster, MD · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 6, 2022 · N29501 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s loss of control during a go-around and the delayed remedial action initiated by the flight instructor, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with trees.
- [NTSB ERA22LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA228.md): Cessna 172M · Lancaster, NY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 14, 2022 · N20459 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s excessive pitch during takeoff resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain. Contributing was the student’s failure to relinquish the controls when ordered by the instructor.
- [NTSB ERA22LA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA068.md): Cessna 172M · Indian Trail, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 27, 2021 · N1401U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff and initial climb. Contributing was the pilot’s physical limitation which caused an inadvertent application of left rudder.
- [NTSB WPR20LA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA203.md): Cessna 172 · Alpine, UT · Accident · 4 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 3, 2020 · N6929H · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack while maneuvering in a canyon, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB CEN20LA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA214.md): Cessna 172 · New Washington, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 6, 2020 · N13520 · Destroyed
  > A high velocity descent and impact with terrain for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB ERA20LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA105.md): Cessna 172 · Fayetteville, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 17, 2020 · N5185R · Substantial damage
  > The passenger’s excessive control application during the takeoff and the flight instructor’s inadequate remedial action, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA20CA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA102.md): Cessna 172 · Rochester, NY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 16, 2020 · N1126U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to take off after perceiving a rudder issue during taxi operations.
- [NTSB ERA18LA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18LA233.md): Cessna 172 · New Kent, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 26, 2018 · N1537U · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s loss of airplane control during a go-around.
- [NTSB GAA18CA490](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA490.md): Cessna 172 · DePere, WI · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 14, 2018 · N1085U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control and his subsequent failure to maintain the runway heading during an attempted go-around, which resulted in impact with trees.
- [NTSB GAA18CA471](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA471.md): Cessna 172 · Dowagiac, MI · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 4, 2018 · N8994V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain bank control during takeoff.
- [NTSB GAA18CA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA201.md): Cessna 172 · Livermore, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 5, 2018 · N1438U · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain runway centerline and flight instructor’s delayed remedial action during landing.
- [NTSB GAA17CA556](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA556.md): Cessna 172 · Gallatin, TN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 16, 2017 · N5146R · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing.
- [NTSB GAA17CA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA254.md): Cessna 172 · Columbia, KY · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 28, 2017 · N64144 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain a flare during landing in variable, gusting wind conditions.
- [NTSB GAA17CA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA140.md): Cessna 172 · Burlington, NC · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 16, 2017 · N381MG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading during an attempted go-around in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion.
- [NTSB GAA16CA515](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA515.md): Cessna 172 · Pittsfield, MA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 25, 2016 · N73101 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain an appropriate descent rate and runway alignment during the landing flare, which resulted in the airplane touching down left of the runway and impacting a ditch.
- [NTSB GAA16CA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA076.md): Cessna 172 · Abilene, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 10, 2015 · N9868Q · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's abrupt control inputs during the flare, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's lack of over sight and delayed reaction while landing.
- [NTSB GAA15CA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA088.md): Cessna 172M · Sussex, NJ · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 23, 2015 · N9959V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to remove the gust lock during the preflight inspection, resulting in a loss of control and collision with trees during takeoff.
- [NTSB CEN15FA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA083.md): Cessna 172M · Odessa, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 22, 2014 · N9922V · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at an excessive bank angle at a low altitude, which resulted in an accelerated stall and spin with insufficient altitude for a recovery.
- [NTSB WPR15CA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15CA069.md): Cessna 172M · Obyan · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 24, 2014 · N12915 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's loss of airplane control during the landing flare in gusting wind conditions.
- [NTSB ERA15CA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA042.md): Cessna 172M · Everglades City, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 3, 2014 · N696PT · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to compensate for gusting wind conditions during the flare, and the flight instructor's failure to intervene in a timely manner, resulting in a loss of airplane control and hard landing off of the runway.
- [NTSB CEN14CA496](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA496.md): Cessna 172M · Oxford, WI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 11, 2014 · N3510Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not compensate for the decrease in the crosswind when he descended below the tree line during the landing.
- [NTSB ERA14CA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA151.md): Cessna 172M · Pittstown, NJ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 7, 2014 · N1319U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing.
- [NTSB WPR14CA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA122.md): Cessna 172M · Ramona, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 25, 2014 · N91712 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's inadequate flare and failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN14CA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA027.md): Cessna 172M · Raymondville, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 25, 2013 · N20587 · Substantial damage
  > The operation of an airplane by a non-certificated pilot. Contributing to the accident was his failure to maintain airspeed following a total loss of engine power at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Also contributing was the pilot's…
- [NTSB CEN13FA364](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13FA364.md): Cessna 172M · Waterford, MI · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 21, 2013 · N9926Q · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to retract the wing flaps before attempting to take off, due to his lack of familiarity with the airplane make and model, which prevented the airplane from maintaining adequate altitude for takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA13LA279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA279.md): Cessna 172M · Louisville, KY · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 12, 2013 · N118JD · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to set the correct flap position before takeoff and his inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in the operation of the airplane over the maximum allowable gross weight, both of which led to an aerodynamic stall at too low an…
- [NTSB CEN13LA249](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA249.md): Cessna 172M · Covington, LA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 1, 2013 · N8899V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during a banner towing operation, which resulted in the airplane stalling and landing hard.
- [NTSB WPR13FA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA138.md): Cessna 172M · Saratoga, WY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 3, 2013 · N5129R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to attempt flight into approaching adverse weather, which led to his low-level flight, encounter with mountain obscuration and moderate turbulence, and his subsequent loss of airplane control. Contributing to the severity of the pilot’s…
- [NTSB ERA12FA484](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12FA484.md): Cessna 172M · San Juan, PR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 25, 2012 · N73115 · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s improper lubrication of the right direct aileron control cable and failure to detect the severe corrosion of the cable during a maintenance inspection, which resulted in the in-flight failure of the cable, the pilot’s subsequent…
- [NTSB ERA12CA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA211.md): Cessna 172M · Mayaquez, PR · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 19, 2012 · N5286H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not maintain control of the airplane while landing in crosswind conditions.
- [NTSB ERA11FA369](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11FA369.md): Cessna 172M · Poughkeepsie, NY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 28, 2011 · N61579 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s loss of airplane control due to impairment or incapacitation as a result of coronary artery disease in combination with atrial fibrillation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to report his paroxysmal atrial fibrillation to the…
- [NTSB ERA10FA414](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10FA414.md): Cessna 172 · Orange, MA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 11, 2010 · N21363 · Substantial damage
  > The pilots did not maintain control of the airplane during a flight in dark night conditions due to spatial disorientation.
- [NTSB CEN10CA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA212.md): Cessna 172M · Coldwater, KS · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 17, 2010 · N81772 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to compensate for gusting crosswinds resultuing in the loss of directional control while landing.
- [NTSB CEN10CA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA199.md): Cessna 172 · Lawton, OK · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 9, 2010 · N12614 · Substantial damage
  > The private pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall, and the failure of both pilots to initiate a go-around. Contributing to the severity of both pilots' injuries was the lack of available shoulder harnesses.
- [NTSB LAX08CA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA237.md): Cessna 172 · Salmon, ID · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 21, 2008 · N9912Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's decision to take off in known adverse wind conditions that lead to an encounter with a windshear, the resulting inability of the pilot to maintain airspeed, and a stall/mush into the terrain.
- [NTSB NYC08LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08LA228.md): Cessna 172M · Toms River, NJ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 25, 2008 · N13105 · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot's seat to engage or remain engaged due to the improper inspection of the worn seat tracks.
- [NTSB SEA08LA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08LA142.md): Cessna 172M · Big Bear City, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 28, 2008 · N21134 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while on approach to landing that resulted in a stall/mush. Contributing to the accident was the wind shear and the high density altitude condition.
- [NTSB MIA08CA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA104.md): Cessna 172M · Savannah, GA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 23, 2008 · N73471 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control on landing touchdown with a crosswind.

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('2072418')
    AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' s WHERE s.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND s.aircrafts_position = x.position AND s."tier2Number" = '240' AND s.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' WHERE "isDefiningEvent")))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence?model=2072418

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