# NTSB investigations: Cessna 172M: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) 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. Page 1 of 2 · 100 cases ## Latest cases - [NTSB ERA26LA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA186.md): Cessna 172M · Crystal River, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Investigation open · Apr 22, 2026 · N868SA · Substantial damage - [NTSB ERA26LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA062.md): Cessna 172 · Pensacola, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 7, 2025 · N6542H · Substantial damage > The pilot’s exceedance of the critical angle of attack during initial climb which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. - [NTSB WPR25LA296](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA296.md): Cessna 172M · Albany, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 19, 2025 · N20490 · Substantial damage > The pilot’s improper landing flare and subsequent improper recovery from a bounced landing. - [NTSB ERA24LA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA270.md): Cessna 172 · Hernando, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 20, 2024 · N72CM · Substantial damage > The pilot’s inadvertent throttle input during landing which resulted in a runway overrun. - [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 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 CEN22LA445](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA445.md): Cessna 172M · Monticello, IA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 28, 2022 · N5244R · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper approach airspeed and glidepath which resulted in a long landing and his inability to stop the airplane on available runway and the subsequent runway excursion. - [NTSB ERA22LA411](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA411.md): Cessna 172 · Clearfield, PA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 3, 2022 · N9619H · Substantial damage > A sudden partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an off-airport landing. - [NTSB CEN22LA309](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA309.md): Cessna 172M · Friend, NE · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 8, 2022 · N5177H · Substantial damage > A loss of engine power due to a stuck valve. - [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 CEN22LA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA181.md): Cessna 172M · Manhattan, KS · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 21, 2022 · N9263H · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat during the approach and his unsuitable flight profile for an upsloping runway, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and an impact with terrain during an attempted go-around. - [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 CEN21LA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA120.md): Cessna 172 · Clare, MI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jan 29, 2021 · N22101 · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing that resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain. - [NTSB CEN20CA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA181.md): Cessna 172 · Colchester, IL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · May 15, 2020 · N92036 · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate preflight of the fuel quantity which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation during cruise flight. - [NTSB CEN20CA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA154.md): Cessna 172 · Ft Worth, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 22, 2020 · N13005 · Substantial damage > The student pilot’s failure to maintain a stabilized approach and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action to initiate a go-around, which resulted in a runway overrun and impact with runway lights and fences. - [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 CEN20LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA042.md): Cessna 172 · Rush City, MN · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 21, 2019 · N9646Q · Substantial damage > The total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation because the student pilot failed to reposition the fuel mixture control to full rich before takeoff. - [NTSB ANC19LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC19LA032.md): Cessna 172 · Newport, OR · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 8, 2019 · N9919V · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper verification of the fuel quantity during the preflight inspection, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent total loss of engine power. - [NTSB WPR19LA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA176.md): Cessna 172 · Fullerton, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 21, 2019 · N64460 · Substantial damage > Partial loss of engine power during takeoff due to an age-degraded carburetor heat valve seal, which detached and partially blocked the carburetor air inlet. Contributing to the accident was an inadequate maintenance inspection. - [NTSB ERA19TA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19TA192.md): Cessna 172 · Stafford, VA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Final report · May 23, 2019 · N64003 · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion. - [NTSB GAA19CA258](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA258.md): Cessna 172 · Dexter, MI · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 11, 2019 · N21794 · Substantial damage > The airplane's failure to maintain a climb for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. - [NTSB GAA19CA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA220.md): Cessna 172 · Prescott, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 23, 2019 · N1897V · Substantial damage > The student pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fence post during taxi operations. - [NTSB WPR19FA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA080.md): Cessna 172 · Desert Hot Springs, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Feb 6, 2019 · N20556 · Destroyed > The pilot's inadequate and/or improper preparation for the flight in which he selected an altitude too low to assure terrain clearance and resulted in an impact with terrain in turbulent downdraft conditions. - [NTSB GAA19CA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA118.md): Cessna 172 · Appleton, MN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 2, 2019 · N12181 · Substantial damage > The student pilot’s loss of directional control while landing on an ice-covered runway, which resulted in a loss of directional control, and his failure to attain sufficient airspeed during a subsequent aborted landing, which resulted in a nose-over. - [NTSB CEN19LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA070.md): Cessna 172 · Abilene, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 2018 · N254RA · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to see and avoid a cell tower wire during a pipeline patrol flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's distraction due to writing down observations about the pipeline while flying. - [NTSB WPR19TA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19TA034.md): Cessna 172 · Colorado Springs, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Nov 20, 2018 · N27LA · Substantial damage > The pilot's decision to perform a touch-and-go landing at a high-density altitude airport, with a tailwind, and on an upsloping runway, which resulted in decreased airplane performance and the airplane’s inability to become airborne within the available… - [NTSB GAA19CA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA024.md): Cessna 172 · Vergennes, VT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 14, 2018 · N73345 · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while taxiing. - [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 GAA18CA478](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA478.md): Cessna 172 · Crystal River, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 6, 2018 · N9608H · Substantial damage > The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. - [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 GAA18CA299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA299.md): Cessna 172 · Defuniak Springs, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 19, 2018 · N12267 · Substantial damage > The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the aborted landing. - [NTSB GAA18CA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA135.md): Cessna 172 · Broomfield, CO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 17, 2018 · N13453 · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll in gusting wind conditions. - [NTSB CEN18FA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA011.md): Cessna 172M · Ramsey, MN · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 13, 2017 · N7CF · Destroyed > The pilot's decision to fly along the river at a low altitude contrary to applicable regulations and safety of flight considerations which resulted in the impact with the power lines. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability to see the and avoid… - [NTSB ERA17FA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17FA272.md): Cessna 172 · New Milford, CT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 11, 2017 · N1727V · Substantial damage > The flight instructor's failure to ensure that the wing flaps were properly configured for takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control during the initial climb. - [NTSB ERA17LA242](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA242.md): Cessna 172 · Key Biscayne, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 14, 2017 · N80457 · Substantial damage > The nearly complete blockage of the right fuel tank strainer with organic material, which resulted in fuel starvation and the subsequent total loss of engine power. Contributing to the fuel starvation was the pilot receiving instruction’s and the flight… - [NTSB GAA17CA341](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA341.md): Cessna 172 · Galena, ID · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 14, 2017 · N9912Q · Substantial damage > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in a power-on stall and subsequent loss of airplane control. - [NTSB ERA17LA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA203.md): Cessna 172 · Suffolk, NY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 12, 2017 · N13306 · Substantial damage > A loss of preload to the crankshaft gear attachment bolt due to improper installation, which resulted in the fatigue failure of the crankshaft gear alignment dowel and led to the rotation of the crankshaft gear and a subsequent total loss of engine power. - [NTSB GAA17CA318](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA318.md): Cessna 172 · Payson, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 4, 2017 · N50526 · Destroyed > The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning that did not account for high-density altitude conditions and his subsequent attempted go-around in conditions that prevented the airplane from attaining a positive climb rate and resulted in its subsequent descent… - [NTSB GAA17CA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA232.md): Cessna 172 · Houston, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 11, 2017 · N92873 · Substantial damage > The pilot’s delayed attempt to abort the takeoff with a tailwind, which resulted in a runway overrun. - [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 GAA16CA483](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA483.md): Cessna 172 · Covington, GA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 12, 2016 · N5283R · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. - [NTSB CEN16LA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA246.md): Cessna 172 · Wonder Lake, IL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 5, 2016 · N6576H · Substantial damage > The flight instructor's inadequate supervision and lack of remedial action due to his diverted attention to a radio call, which resulted in the airplane landing short of the runway. - [NTSB GAA16CA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA186.md): Cessna 172 · Punta Gorda, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 4, 2016 · N8926V · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to avoid obstacles and maintain situational awareness while taxiing. - [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 GAA15CA290](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA290.md): Cessna 172M · Shiocton, WI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 20, 2015 · N20079 · Substantial damage > The pilot's decision to continue to land at an unlighted airstrip, at night, after the landing light failed on approach, which resulted in a bounced landing, runway excursion, and collision with terrain. - [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 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. Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072418&page=2 ## 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" = '470' 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/470/sequence?model=2072418 --- 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.