# Fatal NTSB investigations: Cessna 172L

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 · 62 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN25FA320](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25FA320.md): Cessna 172L · Walters, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Aug 14, 2025 · N2860Q · Destroyed
  > On August 14, 2025, about 0934 central daylight time, a Cessna 172L, N2860Q, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Walters, Oklahoma. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations as…
- [NTSB CEN18FA336](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18FA336.md): Cessna 172 · Rhome, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 17, 2018 · N2893Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate maintenance of the airplane, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation when organic debris restricted available fuel to the carburetor, and the pilot's impairment due to the ingestion of alcohol, which…
- [NTSB ERA18FA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA18FA174.md): Cessna 172 · Diamondhead, MS · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 22, 2018 · N7239Q · Destroyed
  > The student pilot's failure to retract the flaps following landing and the stall/mush that resulted during the subsequent full-flap takeoff and initial climb.
- [NTSB WPR17FA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA213.md): Cessna 172L · Perkinsville, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 22, 2017 · N7070Q · Destroyed
  > The pilot's decision to fly into a canyon during wind conditions conducive to turbulence and downdrafts, and his subsequent loss of aircraft control while maneuvering in the canyon. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's limited canyon flying experience.
- [NTSB DEN08FA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08FA155.md): Cessna 172L · York, NE · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 19, 2008 · N4380Q · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, and the flight instructor's failure to take remedial action, for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB MIA08FA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08FA038.md): Cessna 172L · Clearwater, FL · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 12, 2008 · N7100Q · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering for approach to land. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's operation of the airplane above the design gross weight.
- [NTSB CHI07FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07FA032.md): Cessna 172 · Crookston, MN · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 2, 2006 · N9850G · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions which led to his spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control. Factors were the snow, the low ceiling, and the pilot's lack of instrument flight experience.
- [NTSB NYC06FA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06FA104.md): Cessna 172L · Montgomery Twp, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 25, 2006 · N7604G · Destroyed
  > An impact with mountainous terrain for an undetermined reason.
- [NTSB CHI06FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06FA010.md): Plavcan Lancair 235 · Rootstown, OH · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 14, 2005 · N235U · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > The failure of both pilots to maintain an adequate visual lookout during cruise flight, which resulted in their failure to see and avoid each other and a midair collision.
- [NTSB ATL04LA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04LA195.md): Cessna 172L · Gadsden, AL · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 29, 2004 · N4336Q · Destroyed
  > The flight instructors failure to maintain clearance and his inadequate visual lookout while flying low over a river resulting in an in-flight collision with a wire.
- [NTSB CHI04FA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04FA223.md): Cessna 172L · Webster, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 12, 2004 · N3599F · Destroyed
  > The high velocity impact with terrain for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB LAX04LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA089.md): Cessna 172L · Vacaville, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 26, 2003 · N7668G · No damage
  > the pilot's inadequate hand prop starting procedure.
- [NTSB FTW03FA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03FA212.md): Cessna 172L · New Braunfels, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 6, 2003 · N7632G · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed sufficient for flight resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin during takeoff.
- [NTSB LAX03FA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FA109.md): Cessna 172L · Rosamond, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 7, 2003 · N19770 · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during the takeoff initial climb, which resulted in a stall and impact with flat level terrain. Also causal was the pilot's impaired judgment due to recent use of cocaine, and ethanol.
- [NTSB LAX01LA286](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA286.md): Cessna 172L · Tucson, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 16, 2001 · N4312Q · Destroyed
  > the pilot's controlled descent into a residence for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB NYC00FA257](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00FA257.md): Cessna 172L · Mill Creek, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 28, 2000 · N4344Q · Destroyed
  > The pilot's improper pre-flight planning, and in-flight planning decision to continue visual fight into deteriorating adverse weather conditions. Factors were the night conditions, low clouds and fog.
- [NTSB SEA98FA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98FA170.md): Cessna 172L · Anacortes, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 26, 1998 · N1069M · Substantial damage
  > Terrain clearance was not maintained. A low ceiling and the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision were factors.
- [NTSB MIA99FA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99FA050.md): Cessna 172L · Macclenny, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 23, 1998 · N3853Q · Destroyed
  > The student pilot's attempted VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in a subsequent in-flight collision with trees and terrain. Contributing factors were, haze/smoke, the student pilot's failure to obtain a preflight weather…
- [NTSB IAD97FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97FA014.md): Cessna 172L · Brandy Station, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 30, 1996 · N7737G · Destroyed
  > the certificated flight instructor's failure to ensure that proper altitude/clearance was maintained above the terrain and trees, while on final approach. Darkness was a related factor.
- [NTSB SEA92FA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92FA109.md): Cessna 172L · Colburn, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 24, 1992 · N3988Q · Destroyed
  > The pilot became lost/disoriented, failed to maintain airspeed when he attempted to reverse course in a box canyon, and the aircraft stalled. Factors relating to the accident were the narrow box canyon, the high density altitude, and the lack of mountain…
- [NTSB NYC90LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA209.md): Cessna 172L · Montauk, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 1, 1990 · N4324Q · Destroyed
  > Pilot failed to attain airspeed during a go around, resulting in the airplane stalling at a low altitude. Contributing factor was the pilot's attention was diverted to airport maintenance personnel working near the approach end of the runway.
- [NTSB NYC89FA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89FA146.md): Cessna T210N · Hubbardston, MA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 12, 1989 · N212FS · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > Failure of both pilots to see-and-avoid (attain visual lookout for) conflicting traffic.
- [NTSB SEA88FA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88FA095.md): Cessna 172L · Ocean Shores, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 14, 1988 · N7935G · Destroyed
  > The student pilot departed on his fifth solo flight from the airport where he had been accustomed to originating his instructional flights. After several touch and go landings he proceeded to a nearby airport and conducted at least one more touch and go.…
- [NTSB CHI87IA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87IA110.md): Cessna 172L · Plainfield, IL · Incident · 1 fatal · Incident investigation · Final report · Mar 29, 1987 · N4211Q · No damage
  > The pilot decided the weather was not good enough to fly, but he would run the engine and turn the tires. He was discovered in the plane by other pilots and later pronounced dead, from carbon monoxide asphyxiation. The muffler had a 12 inch crack which a…
- [NTSB FTW85FA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA090.md): Cessna 172L · Galveston, TX · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 30, 1984 · N2823Q · Destroyed
  > A recently certificated private pilot with no known instrument training was given a 'VFR not recommended' weather briefing for a return trip on a pleasure flight. Weather conditions were predicted to, and did, deteriorate rapidly. He took off and turned on…
- [NTSB LAX82FA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA213.md): Cessna 172L · Meiners Oaks, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 5, 1982 · N19659 · Destroyed
  > Witnesses in a remote canyon reported an aircraft making low passes in that area. They last saw the plane going up the canyon. Later, the aircraft was located on a wall of the same canyon. Tests of the pilot's blood showed an alcohol level of.279 percent.…
- [NTSB ANC81DA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DA073.md): Cessna A185F · Missing Aircraft · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Jul 18, 1981 · N7607G · Destroyed
- [NTSB ATL81FA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FA031.md): Cessna 172 · Petersburg, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Dec 28, 1980 · N19715 · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI81FA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FA005.md): Cessna 172 · Westfield, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 2, 1980 · N7686G · Destroyed
- [NTSB IAD80FA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD80FA044.md): Cessna 172 · Bethany, WV · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · May 3, 1980 · N19672 · Destroyed
- [NTSB FTW78FPG66](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78FPG66.md): Cessna 172L · Durham, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jul 19, 1978 · N7940G · Substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA77FA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA77FA088.md): Cessna 172 · Lauderhill, FL · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Sep 16, 1977 · N7645G · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA77FA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA77FA071.md): Cessna 172L · Vienna, GA · Accident · 5 fatal · Closed · Jul 27, 1977 · N19691 · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK77FA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK77FA031.md): Cessna 150L · Gilroy, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · May 9, 1977 · N19703 · Destroyed
- [NTSB GAF76AA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAF76AA138.md): Cessna 172L · Beluga Mt, AK · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Sep 26, 1976 · N7004Q · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI76AC047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI76AC047.md): Cessna 172L · Bay City, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jan 31, 1976 · N3971Q · Destroyed
- [NTSB NYC76AN067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC76AN067.md): Cessna 172L · White Plains, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jan 16, 1976 · N7579G · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA76AM041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA76AM041.md): Cessna 172L · Key West, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 8, 1975 · N3913Q · Destroyed
- [NTSB MIA75AM079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA75AM079.md): Cessna 172L · Marathon, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · May 10, 1975 · N7059Q · Destroyed
- [NTSB CHI75AC082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI75AC082.md): Cessna 172L · Linden, MI · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · May 5, 1975 · N7590G · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK75O0004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK75O0004.md): Cessna 172 · Banaue, RP · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Apr 12, 1975 · N7199Q · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK75AP030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK75AP030.md): Cessna 172L · 3 Rivers, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Dec 30, 1974 · N7840G · Destroyed
- [NTSB NYC75AN072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC75AN072.md): Cessna 172L · Tuxedo, NY · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Dec 7, 1974 · N7162Q · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA74AS031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74AS031.md): Cessna 172L · Goldendale, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Jan 25, 1974 · N7888G · Destroyed
- [NTSB OAK74AP033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74AP033.md): Cessna 172L · San Ramon, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Jan 17, 1974 · N3898Q · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX74AL011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX74AL011.md): Cessna 172L · Sylmar, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Nov 1, 1973 · N7651G · Destroyed
- [NTSB LAX74AL023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX74AL023.md): Cessna 172L · Descanso, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Closed · Sep 23, 1973 · N7964G · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA74AS016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74AS016.md): Cessna 172L · Chiloquin, OR · Accident · 3 fatal · Closed · Sep 16, 1973 · N2855Q · Destroyed
- [NTSB SEA74AS013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74AS013.md): Cessna 172 · Packwood, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Aug 30, 1973 · N3843Q · Destroyed
- [NTSB DEN74AD007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN74AD007.md): Cessna 172L · Preston, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Aug 11, 1973 · N7725G · Substantial damage

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?model=2072432&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 ('2072432'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?fatal=1&model=2072432

---
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.