NTSB investigations: Cessna 172S

49 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Cessna 172S, where the sequence of events included Loss of control in flight. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.

Cases per year

20082026
NTSB investigations: Cessna 172S per year, 2008–2026: 49 cases
20085
20095
20103
20115
20123
20131
20143
20151
20163
20172
20182
20194
20201
20213
20221
20231
20243
20252
20261

Latest cases

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "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 ('2072439', '2072442')
      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"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

NTSB ERA26LA209Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172S · Harrison, NYThe student pilot’s excessive pitch up attitude during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.May 18, 2026 · N5114Z · Substantial damageNTSB CEN25LA128Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172S · Rusk, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control and adequate airspeed during the go-around, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.Mar 16, 2025 · N52243 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN25LA088Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172S · Air Force Academy, COThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during final approach after encountering an unexpected windshear.Jan 27, 2025 · N51387 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA25FA082Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Cintrona, PRMaintenance personnel’s inadequate inspection of the airplane, which resulted in inflight the failure of the right aileron carry through cable due to wear, reduced effectiveness of the airplane’s ailerons, and a subsequent loss of control.Dec 20, 2024 · N22088 · DestroyedNTSB ERA25LA052Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172S · Chattanooga, TNA partial loss of engine power due to a fouled spark plug in engine’s the No. 4 cylinder. Contributing was the flight instructor’s failure to maintain aircraft control during an attempted go-around following an unsuccessful landing approach in IMC, which…Nov 19, 2024 · N951JA · Substantial damageNTSB ERA24LA090Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Mooresville, NCThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during a go-around in gusting crosswind conditions.Jan 14, 2024 · N512SP · Substantial damageNTSB CEN23LA348Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Philadelphia, PAThe pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain control during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the flight.Aug 3, 2023 · N860TW · Substantial damageNTSB ERA23FA001Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172S · Hermantown, MNThe pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during initial climb in dark night and low instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a descent into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue due to a long…Oct 2, 2022 · N262TA · Substantial damageNTSB ERA22FA058Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Branchville, NJThe flight instructor’s failure to recover from a steep spiral turn during an instructional flight.Nov 11, 2021 · N90559 · DestroyedNTSB ERA21LA215Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Daytona Beach, FLBoth pilots’ failure to maintain control during the landing flare and the flight instructor’s failure to maintain control during an attempted go-around, in gusting quartering headwind conditions, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s critical…May 14, 2021 · N62568 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA21LA202Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172S · Martinsville, VAThe pilot’s improper pitch control during a go-around in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a tail strike and a runway excursion.May 2, 2021 · N1089D · Substantial damageNTSB CEN20FA110Accident · 3 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Lincoln, ILThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during an aerial survey, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low to recover.Mar 3, 2020 · N157SF · DestroyedNTSB GAA19CA412Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Elkton, FLThe pilot under instruction's failure to follow the flight instructor’s directions and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action and subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.Jul 14, 2019 · N35585 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN19FA221Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Katy, TXThe pilot’s loss of airplane control and subsequent impact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.Jul 13, 2019 · N517LA · DestroyedNTSB GAA19CA375Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Phoenix, AZThe student pilot's improper landing flare and failure to maintain the runway heading, which resulted in the loss of airplane control, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action during a go-around with a crosswind, which resulted in a bounced landing…Jun 28, 2019 · N606JA · Substantial damageNTSB ERA19FA107Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Mansfield, MAThe flight instructor's failure to maintain airplane control during initial climb after a touch-and-go landing, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.Feb 23, 2019 · N224TA · Substantial damageNTSB GAA18CA460Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Grand Prairie, TXThe student pilot’s failure to maintain the runway centerline during takeoff with a crosswind.Jul 29, 2018 · N24144 · Substantial damageNTSB GAA18CA313Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Payson, AZThe pilot’s failure to maintain yaw control during a short-field takeoff in high-density altitude conditions.May 30, 2018 · N780JA · Substantial damageNTSB GAA17CA337Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Ravenna, OHThe flight instructor's failure to perform a go-around during final approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's failure to brief the student pilot on the positive transfer of…Jun 11, 2017 · N33FM · Substantial damageNTSB GAA17CA351Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Lawrence, KSThe student pilot's incorrect control application during landing after a simulated engine failure, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing, and the flight instructor's delayed action to perform a go-around in gusting wind conditions.Jun 10, 2017 · N99HV · Substantial damageNTSB CEN16LA379Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Chesterfield, MOThe pilot's unstable approach and subsequent loss of airplane control during an attempted go-around.Sep 19, 2016 · N52265 · DestroyedNTSB CEN16CA319Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172S · Arlington, TXThe student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.Aug 9, 2016 · N544SP · Substantial damageNTSB CEN16LA228Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Deming, NMThe pilots’ failure to maintain adequate control of the airplane during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall at a low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the…Jun 10, 2016 · N21767 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA15LA366Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Bally, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain altitude during low-level aerobatic maneuvers. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's improper decision to attempt the low-level aerobatic maneuvers and his impairment due to psychiatric conditions and the medications he…Sep 21, 2015 · N347SP · Substantial damageNTSB ERA15CA056Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172S · Sarasota, FLThe student pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during the initial climb, resulting in a runway excursion and substantial damage to the engine firewall. The student pilot's lack of overall flying experience was a factor.Nov 12, 2014 · N60155 · Substantial damageNTSB CEN14CA322Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172S · Knox, INThe student pilot's use of excessive back pressure on the flight controls during an attempted go around that induced a stall and loss of control.Jun 25, 2014 · N1307C · Substantial damageNTSB CEN14CA187Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Larimore, NDFailure of the pilot to attain and maintain sufficient control inputs to compensate for the crosswind. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's failure to adequately monitor the pilot and the flight.Apr 5, 2014 · N510ND · Substantial damageNTSB ERA13CA350Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172S · Portsmouth, NHThe pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection resulting in his failure to remove the pin he used to lock the flight controls in place of the approved control lock.Aug 3, 2013 · N645PD · Substantial damageNTSB WPR13LA062Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Kahului, HIThe noninstrument-rated pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent failure to maintain airplane control while operating over water in dark night conditions with reduced visibility due to rain in the area.Dec 2, 2012 · N3554Y · Substantial damageNTSB ERA12CA419Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172S · West Palm Beach, FLThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain airplane control during the takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s decision to conduct takeoffs and landings in conditions exceeding the airplane’s maximum…Jun 26, 2012 · N961MC · Substantial damageNTSB ERA12FA193Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Key West, FLThe non-night-qualified pilot's improper decision to depart in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in his subsequent spatial disorientation, loss of control, and impact with water.Feb 24, 2012 · N53589 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA11CA343Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172S · Covington, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.Jun 14, 2011 · N6026P · DestroyedNTSB CEN11CA392Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172S · Cortez, COThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing in gusty crosswind conditions.Jun 14, 2011 · N6017J · Substantial damageNTSB WPR11LA201Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Payson, AZThe pilot's decision to conduct a touch-and-go arrival during his first flight to a high elevation airport, which resulted in an improper mixture adjustment and a partial loss of engine power for the takeoff and attempted climbout.Apr 16, 2011 · N1835U · Substantial damageNTSB ERA11FA146Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · New Smyrna Beach, FLThe flight instructor's failure to recognize or implement adequate remedial action to counter the effects of spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the spatial disorientation experienced by one or both pilots.Feb 16, 2011 · N6345L · Substantial damageNTSB ERA11FA118Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · North Myrtle Beach, SCThe pilot's loss of airplane control during a missed approach due to spatial disorientation.Jan 18, 2011 · N2100V · Substantial damageNTSB ERA10CA278Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172S · East Haddam, CTThe pilot's delayed decision to attempt a go-around, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control while landing.May 24, 2010 · N169ER · Substantial damageNTSB CEN10CA176Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172S · Mckinney, TXThe student pilot's loss of directional control while landing with a crosswind.Mar 26, 2010 · N18563 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA10LA105Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Greenbush, METhe pilot's improper decision to attempt a transoceanic flight in turbulent, icing conditions, with an overweight airplane that was not approved for moderate turbulence and not equipped with deicing systems. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's…Jan 4, 2010 · N5118J · Substantial damageNTSB ERA10FA091Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Kissimmee, FLThe pilot's decision to depart under special VFR flight at night when instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the departure airport and along the route of flight and his continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted…Dec 8, 2009 · N5269X · DestroyedNTSB ERA10FA048Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Tallahassee, FLThe pilots' spatial disorientation during flight in dark conditions, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into terrain.Nov 5, 2009 · N5194X · DestroyedNTSB WPR10CA019Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172S · Honolulu, HIThe student pilot's distraction and subsequent loss of airplane control after the cabin window opened during the takeoff roll.Oct 17, 2009 · N5329L · Substantial damageNTSB CEN09CA509Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172S · Bluffton, OHThe student pilot's failure to compensate for wind conditions and maintain aircraft control during the landing.Aug 6, 2009 · N6186T · Substantial damageNTSB ERA09CA404Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · York, PAThe student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.Apr 13, 2009 · N144ME · Substantial damageNTSB ERA09FA092Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Goodland, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the night light conditions.Dec 18, 2008 · N967SP · DestroyedNTSB LAX08FA301Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Fullerton, CAThe pilot's failure to follow the takeoff checklist and verify the proper flap setting before takeoff.Oct 1, 2008 · N2190W · Substantial damageNTSB MIA08CA179Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172SP · South Harpswell, METhe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing in gusty winds.Sep 1, 2008 · N251SP · Substantial damageNTSB NYC08CA257Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172S · Stevensville, MDThe flight instructor's inadequate remedial action following the student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.Jul 26, 2008 · N331ME · Substantial damageNTSB LAX08LA179Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Beaver, UTThe pilot's failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed during the initial climb as a result of his inadequate preflight planning and improper use of the mixture control. Contributing to the accident were the tailwind and high density altitude.Jun 12, 2008 · N233GW · Substantial damage