# Fatal NTSB investigations: Cessna 172

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 4 · 186 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN23FA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA095.md): Cessna 172 · Hooker, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 29, 2023 · N6482B · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s decision to depart and continue the visual flight rules flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB ERA22LA375](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA375.md): Cessna 172 · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean) · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 18, 2022 · N6713A · Destroyed
  > The pilot's suicide.
- [NTSB ERA22FA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22FA218.md): Cessna 172 · Altha, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 3, 2022 · N6413B · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s failure to perform a preflight weight and balance calculation and his operation of the flight at an excessive takeoff weight, resulting in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack after liftoff and an aerodynamic stall from which…
- [NTSB CEN20FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20FA010.md): Cessna 172 · Aberdeen, SD · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 10, 2019 · N6483B · Destroyed
  > The noncertificated pilot’s decision to fly in dark night instrument conditions, resulting in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR19FA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA244.md): Cessna 172 · McKenzie Bridge, OR · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 28, 2019 · N4108F · Destroyed
  > The pilot's delayed climb and misjudgment of the airplane’s performance and the runway distance needed to clear obstacles at the end of the runway, which resulted in a collision with trees and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was…
- [NTSB CEN19FA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19FA099.md): Cessna 172 · Lakeway, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Mar 14, 2019 · N8620B · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined, and the flight instructor's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering for a forced landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of…
- [NTSB ANC19FA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC19FA038.md): Cessna 172 · Skwentna, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Mar 7, 2019 · N7469A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to depart into marginal visual flight rule conditions in mountainous terrain with the potential for icing, and the airplane’s accumulation of structural icing, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain airplane control and the…
- [NTSB CEN17FA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA085.md): Cessna 172 · Jay, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 25, 2017 · N5639A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's negligent maintenance of the airplane, which resulted in improper fuel management, fuel starvation, and a loss of engine power during takeoff due to a missing securing pin in the fuel selector handle, and a subsequent forced landing on unsuitable…
- [NTSB ANC17FA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC17FA003.md): Cessna 172 · Palmer, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 29, 2016 · N6353E · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a steep climbing turn following a touch-and-go landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at too low of an altitude to recover.
- [NTSB CEN15FA378](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA378.md): Cessna 172 · Martinville, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 21, 2015 · N8265B · Substantial damage
  > The non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain.
- [NTSB CEN15FA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA278.md): Cessna 172 · Shreveport, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 19, 2015 · N5743A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control during initial climb after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because an examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact anomalies.
- [NTSB WPR15FA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA070.md): Cessna 172 · Sutter Creek, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 24, 2014 · N8518B · Substantial damage
  > The noninstrument-rated pilot's encounter with instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) while maneuvering, which resulted in a loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to attempt to…
- [NTSB ERA13FA388](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13FA388.md): Cessna 172 · Limington, ME · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 30, 2013 · N8063B · Substantial damage
  > An impairing medical event of undetermined origin that led to a loss of control during takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR12FA274](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12FA274.md): Cessna 172 · Veneta, OR · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 23, 2012 · N5781A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and altitude to clear trees during the initial climb after takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA09LA527](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09LA527.md): Cessna 172 · Lowndesville, SC · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 19, 2009 · N5845A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and improper decision to continue flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation after entering instrument flight conditions.
- [NTSB CEN09LA409](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA409.md): Cessna 172 · Latimer, IA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 3, 2009 · N8138B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power line while flying at a low altitude.
- [NTSB WPR09LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA056.md): Cessna 172 · Lompoc, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 10, 2008 · N6461E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power line. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent experience.
- [NTSB SEA08FA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08FA116.md): Cessna 172N · McCall, ID · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 3, 2008 · N75856 · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > The failure of the pilot to maintain adequate visual lookout and clearance from another airplane while attempting to land on the same runway. Contributing to the accident was the non-standard pattern entry of the pilot.
- [NTSB SEA07FA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07FA165.md): Cessna 172 · Yellow Pine, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 14, 2007 · N6233E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's selection of the wrong routing through mountainous terrain and his failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance.
- [NTSB ANC06FA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06FA048.md): Cessna 170B · Chugiak, AK · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 23, 2006 · N4488B · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > The inadequate visual lookout by the pilots of both airplanes during cruise flight, which resulted in their failure to see-and-avoid each other, and a subsequent midair collision.
- [NTSB CHI06LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06LA070.md): Cessna 172 · Harrison, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 22, 2006 · N8540B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's impairment due to drugs.
- [NTSB LAX06LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA064.md): Cessna 172 · Gilroy, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 22, 2005 · N7383A · Destroyed
  > The non-instrument rated pilot's poor judgment to fly in dark night instrument conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and loss of aircraft control while maneuvering. Contributing factors were the dark night light condition and the low…
- [NTSB LAX05LA286](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA286.md): Cessna 172 · Yuma, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 2, 2005 · N5070A · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed on short final, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.
- [NTSB IAD05LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05LA028.md): Cessna 172 · Knottsville, KY · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 1, 2005 · N6225E · Destroyed
  > the pilot's loss of control in flight due to spatial disorientation. Also causal to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning which resulted in his inadvertent flight into night instrument meteorological conditions.
- [NTSB SEA03FA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03FA089.md): Cessna 172 · Republic, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 30, 2003 · N7301A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in a stall and subsequent loss of control during low altitude maneuvering.
- [NTSB NYC02FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02FA012.md): Cessna 172 · South Hero, VT · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 18, 2001 · N8255B · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the takeoff. Factors in this accident were wind gusts and the airplane's high gross weight condition.
- [NTSB NYC01FA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01FA147.md): Cessna 172 · Newfane, VT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 16, 2001 · N7106T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff. A factor was the pilot's impairment due to a narcotic painkiller and antihistamine.
- [NTSB DEN01FA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN01FA028.md): Cessna 172 · Lusk, WY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 16, 2000 · N4223F · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his subsequent failure to maintain terrain clearance, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to obtain a weather briefing, low…
- [NTSB NYC00FA226](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00FA226.md): Cessna 172 · Davis, WV · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 12, 2000 · N8874B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot-in-command's inadequate weather evaluation, which resulted in a takeoff with a tailwind, and a subsequent inadvertent stall. Factors were a high gross weight, a high density altitude, and a tailwind.
- [NTSB MIA99FA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99FA150.md): Cessna 172 · Fontana, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 5, 1999 · N30DS · Destroyed
  > the pilot continued visual flight into know weather conditions which resulted in reduced visibility, and the subsequent in-flight collision with rising terrain. Factors in this accidents were clouds and low ceiling in the accident area.
- [NTSB ATL99FA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99FA074.md): Cessna 172 · Savannah, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 24, 1999 · N6433B · Destroyed
  > The pilot's selection of the wrong runway for landing and his delayed go-around, which resulted in the collision with trees. A factor was the tailwind on landing.
- [NTSB DEN99FA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99FA051.md): Cessna 172 · Gill, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 14, 1999 · N6085A · Destroyed
  > The pilot's intentional maneuvering at an unwarranted low altitude resulting in a collision with the ground. Factors were the pilot's ostentatious behavioral display and reduced lighting (dusk) conditions.
- [NTSB FTW98FA384](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98FA384.md): Cessna 172 · West Jordan, UT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 3, 1998 · N8232B · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain proper airport traffic pattern altitude. Factors were night lighting conditions and the unseen static line.
- [NTSB SEA98LA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA154.md): Cessna 172 · Baker City, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 31, 1998 · N835T · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance and inadequate in-flight planning/decision. Contributing to the accident was mountain obscuration.
- [NTSB CHI98FA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98FA165.md): Cessna 172 · S. Sioux City, NE · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 17, 1998 · N8919B · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate flying airspeed during the climbing left turn resulting in a stall condition. Contributing factors were the gusty, crosswind conditions, and the pilot's excessively tight turn maneuver during the initial climb.
- [NTSB ANC96FA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96FA141.md): Cessna 172 · Eagle River, AK · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 3, 1996 · N8739B · Destroyed
  > The first pilot's failure to maintain sufficient distance/altitude from terrain. A box canyon and mountainous terrain are factors in the accident.
- [NTSB LAX96LA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA278.md): Cessna 172 · Midas, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 19, 1996 · N1958D · Destroyed
  > the decision of the pilot to perform a low-level steep turn which resulted in an inadvertent loss of control and subsequent stall/spin. Factors were high density altitude and inadequate altitude for recovery.
- [NTSB IAD96FA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD96FA057.md): Cessna 172 · Barkhamsted, CT · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 6, 1996 · N6234E · Destroyed
  > the CFI pilot/passenger's poor judgment which led to spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control of the airplane. Factors involved in this accident were the night marginal visual flight conditions and continuing flight with a known nonfunctioning…
- [NTSB FTW95LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA057.md): Cessna 172 · Lawton, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 30, 1994 · N7099A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to attain sufficient airspeed during takeoff resulting in a stall. Factors were the pilot's selection of the downwind runway and his failure to use all availabble runway.
- [NTSB ANC94FA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94FA109.md): Cessna 172 · Big Lake, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 16, 1994 · N5198A · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed. Factors in the accident were the fog, and the pilot becoming lost/disoriented.
- [NTSB SEA94FA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94FA154.md): Cessna 172 · Port Angeles, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 21, 1994 · N8025B · Destroyed
  > Lack of oil and connecting rod failure. A factor to the accident was rough/uneven terrain.
- [NTSB CHI93LA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA037.md): Cessna 172 · Elk River, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 17, 1992 · N7463A · Substantial damage
  > Failure of the pilot to refuel the airplane before the flight.
- [NTSB LAX91FA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA247.md): Cessna C-172 · Lakeside, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 6, 1991 · N5814A · Destroyed
  > The failure of the pilot to request radar assistance to avoid low ceilings in high terrain and the pilot's inadequate visual outlook which ultimately resulted in an inflight collision with high terrain. Contributing to the accident were the weather conditions…
- [NTSB SEA91FA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA059.md): Cessna 172 · Oregon City, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 28, 1991 · N7119T · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to attain proper airspeed before takeoff. Factors relating to the accident were the binding brake, the uphill grass airstrip, the tail wind weather conditions, and the improper annual inspection that was just completed on the aircraft.
- [NTSB ATL91FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91FA054.md): Cessna 172 · Crossville, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 14, 1991 · N8641B · Destroyed
  > The improper flight planning by the noninstrument rated pilot which resulted in his inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions in mountainous terrain.
- [NTSB SEA91FA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA046.md): Cessna C-172 · Colstrip, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 3, 1991 · N8531B · Destroyed
  > 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 dark night light conditions, and the mountainous/hilly terrain…
- [NTSB MIA90LA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA037.md): Cessna 172 · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean) · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 7, 1989 · N8785B · Destroyed
  > The engine seized from oil starvation (lack of oil or oil pressure), which resulted in the aircraft being ditched at sea.
- [NTSB LAX90FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA025.md): Cessna 172 · Safford, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 6, 1989 · N5624A · Substantial damage
  > The pilot failed to maintain an airspeed above the aircraft's stall speed as he turned away from ascending terrain. The aircraft's inadequate performance resulting from improper grade of fuel and high density altitude and the pilot's lack of experience in…
- [NTSB LAX89FA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA182.md): Cessna 172 · Industry, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 6, 1989 · N6129E · Destroyed
  > The failure of the pilot to maintain an adequate altitude to ensure obstruction clearance. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, low ceiling, fog, and the pilot's continued flight into adverse weather conditions.
- [NTSB MIA89FA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89FA090.md): Cessna 172 · Blue Mountain, MS · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 20, 1989 · N3937F · Destroyed
  > The continuation of a VFR flight into night, instrument meteorological conditions and the spatial disorientation of the non-instrument rated pilot. Contributing to the accident were the adverse weather conditions and the overconfidence of the pilot.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?model=2072402&fatal=1&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."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('2072402'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?fatal=1&model=2072402

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