# Fatal NTSB investigations: Cessna 172P 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 3 · 113 cases ## Latest cases - [NTSB ERA23FA323](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA323.md): Cessna 172 · Pembroke Pines, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 4, 2023 · N697FL · Substantial damage > The flight instructor’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent rapid descent into terrain. - [NTSB ERA23FA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA247.md): Cessna 172 · Lake Worth, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 26, 2023 · N3KV · Destroyed > Maintenance personnel’s failure to detect the corroded aileron cable during recent inspections, which resulted in the separation of the aileron control cable and a subsequent loss of airplane control during takeoff. - [NTSB ERA23FA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA008.md): Cessna 172 · Newport News, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 6, 2022 · N97883 · Substantial damage > The flight instructor’s failure to monitor the student pilot on takeoff and her delayed remedial action to stop him from exceeding the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in a low altitude aerodynamic stall from which she was unable to recover. - [NTSB ANC22LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC22LA025.md): Cessna 172P · Kekaha, HI · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 21, 2022 · N98763 · Destroyed > The pilot’s improper decision to continue the visual-flight-rules flight into low visibility conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. - [NTSB ANC21FA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21FA065.md): Cessna 172P · Eagle River, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 26, 2021 · N65698 · Substantial damage > An inflight collision with terrain under unknown circumstances. Contributing to the delayed rescue response was the failure of the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) to activate as designed, and the mechanic’s failure to ensure the correct ELT was installed… - [NTSB ERA16FA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA329.md): Cessna 172 · Laytonsville, MD · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 27, 2016 · N52126 · Destroyed > The pilot/mechanic's failure to maintain airspeed following a loss of engine power, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Also causal was the pilot/mechanic's failure to service the engine… - [NTSB ANC16FA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC16FA019.md): Cessna 172 · Chugiak, AK · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 20, 2016 · N63541 · Substantial damage > The in-flight collision with one or more large birds (Bald Eagle), which resulted in a loss of airplane control. - [NTSB ERA15FA351](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA351.md): Cessna 172 · Riegelwood, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 11, 2015 · N52445 · Substantial damage > The noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. - [NTSB WPR15FA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA247.md): Cessna 172P · Townsend, MT · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 20, 2015 · N62731 · Substantial damage > The non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to conduct a cross-country flight over a mountain range in dark night conditions with limited night flight experience, which resulted in a collision with mountainous terrain. - [NTSB CEN15FA289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA289.md): Cessna 172P · Bartlett, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 3, 2015 · N62681 · Destroyed > The pilot’s loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined because an examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact abnormalities. - [NTSB ERA12FA483](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12FA483.md): Cessna 172P · Plainville, CT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 26, 2012 · N64182 · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain the proper glidepath during final approach in visual meteorological conditions, resulting in collision with a berm. - [NTSB ERA10FA346](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10FA346.md): Cessna 172P · Chesapeake, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 5, 2010 · N52614 · Substantial damage > The airplane's impact with terrain for undetermined reasons following the pilot's report of a flight control malfunction. - [NTSB ERA10FA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10FA029.md): Cessna 172P · Bennington, VT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 25, 2009 · N55479 · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain during a night approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s non-standard traffic pattern over higher terrain. - [NTSB MIA06FA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA06FA007.md): Cessna 172P · La Belle, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 16, 2005 · N99173 · Substantial damage > The student pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the initial takeoff climb, resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin and uncontrolled descent to ground impact. A contributing factor was the failure of the wing flap control, which resulted in the flaps… - [NTSB CHI05FA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05FA194.md): Cessna 172P · Jackson, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 20, 2005 · N65875 · Destroyed > The pilot not maintaining aircraft control for undetermined reasons while maneuvering. - [NTSB SEA05FA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05FA013.md): Cessna 172P · Olympia, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 30, 2004 · N53161 · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering in known adverse weather conditions. Clouds, rain, high wind, dark night, trees, mountainous terrain and the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision were factors. - [NTSB DEN04FA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04FA119.md): Cessna 172P · Monarch Crest, CO · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 9, 2004 · N911JR · Destroyed > the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall, and his decision to conduct flight beyond the performance capability of the aircraft. A contributing factor was the high density altitude, and an inadvertent stall. - [NTSB CHI03FA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03FA151.md): Cessna 172P · Sheboygan, WI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 8, 2003 · N63319 · Destroyed > The pilot failed to maintain control of the airplane after encountering instrument meteorological conditions during takeoff. Factors associated with the accident were the low ceiling, fog and lack of instrument rating. - [NTSB LAX03FA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FA124.md): Cessna 172P · North Las Vegas, NV · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 4, 2003 · N553CH · Destroyed > the applicant pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. - [NTSB MIA03FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03FA066.md): Cessna 172P · Osteen, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 25, 2003 · N97890 · Destroyed > The intentional suicidal act by the pilot-in-command resulting in the in-flight collision with trees then the ground. - [NTSB DEN03MA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03MA035.md): Piper PA-31T · Denver, CO · Accident · 5 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Jan 25, 2003 · N360LL · 2 aircraft · Destroyed > Both pilots' inadequate visual lookout. A contributing factor was the Cheyenne pilot operating the airplane with a known transponder deficiency. - [NTSB MIA03FA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03FA043.md): Cessna 172P · Edgewater, FL · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 18, 2003 · N65906 · Destroyed > The pilot's inflight loss of control and the pilot's failure to recover from the resultant dive for unknown reasons which resulted in flight beyond the design stress limits of the airplane and subsequent in flight airframe breakup. - [NTSB SEA03FA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03FA013.md): Cessna 172P · Malaga, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 26, 2002 · N65564 · Destroyed > The pilot's attempted VFR flight into IMC resulting in the aircraft colliding with trees and up sloping terrain. Contributing factors were clouds, trees, and uphill terrain. The pilot’s performance and judgment were likely impaired by the effects of… - [NTSB IAD02FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD02FA037.md): Cessna 172P · Ocean City, MD · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 16, 2002 · N96811 · Destroyed > The pilot's spatial disorientation, which resulted in his subsequent loss of control of the airplane. A factor was the dark night, over water visual conditions. - [NTSB FTW01FA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01FA058.md): Cessna 152 · Platter, OK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 6, 2001 · N114SS · 2 aircraft · Destroyed > the failure of both pilots to maintain a visual lookout, which resulted in a mid-air collision over a lake. A contributing factor to the accident was the sun glare from the setting sun. - [NTSB LAX00FA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00FA178.md): Cessna 172P · Chester, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 28, 2000 · N216PB · Destroyed > The pilot's encounter with a wind shear at low altitude, which resulted in a loss of control and a stall/spin. Factors in the accident were the high density altitude and the pilot's lack of experience and training in high density altitude operations. The… - [NTSB NYC00FA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00FA106.md): Cessna 172P · Ballston Spa, NY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 30, 2000 · N98574 · Destroyed > a loss of control for undetermined reason(s). - [NTSB CHI00MA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00MA066.md): Moravan Z242L · Zion, IL · Accident · 3 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Feb 8, 2000 · N5ZA · 2 aircraft · Destroyed > Clearance not maintained by the pilot of the other airplane. A factor relating to the accident was the airport control tower's local controller's failure to provide effective sequencing. - [NTSB NYC00FA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00FA058.md): Cessna 172P · Leominster, MA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 22, 1999 · N96273 · 2 aircraft · Destroyed > The student pilot's failure to see and avoid the private pilot's airplane. Factors included the student pilot's non-standard traffic pattern entry, the private pilot's failure to check for other traffic before turning onto final, and the position of the sun… - [NTSB DEN99FA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99FA142.md): Cessna 172P · Grants, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 3, 1999 · N6497K · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to fly the aircraft at an altitude sufficient to clear surrounding terrain. Factors were: The pilot's in-flight planning and decision making in proceeding into known adverse weather. Low ceiling, rain, lack of total pilot experience, and… - [NTSB FTW99FA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99FA153.md): Mooney M20B · Mesquite, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 29, 1999 · N74706 · 2 aircraft · Destroyed > The failure by both pilots to maintain visual lookout. A factor was the inadequate radio communications maintained by both pilots while in the traffic pattern. - [NTSB LAX99FA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99FA036.md): Cessna 172P · Scottsdale, AZ · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 21, 1998 · N99064 · 2 aircraft · Destroyed > the failure of the solo student pilot in the other aircraft to acquire and maintain separation from this aircraft, which was departing the airport traffic pattern and had been issued as traffic by the local controller. Also causal was the failure of the pilot… - [NTSB IAD98FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98FA032.md): Cessna 172P · Langley Afb, VA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 1, 1998 · N62082 · Destroyed > The pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into IMC conditions, and the subsequent loss of aircraft control due to spatial disorientation. A factor in the accident was the low ceiling. - [NTSB NYC98FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98FA066.md): Cessna 172P · York, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 22, 1998 · N54172 · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during final approach which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. - [NTSB IAD97FA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD97FA122.md): Cessna 172P · Airville, PA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 22, 1997 · N55221 · Destroyed > The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall/mush and subsequent collision with terrain. - [NTSB CHI97FA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97FA218.md): Cessna 172P · Chicago, IL · Accident · 7 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 19, 1997 · N5323K · 2 aircraft · Destroyed > the pilots not maintaining visual separation between their airplanes. A factor in this accident was the pilot of the southbound airplane not reporting her position abeam the airport as directed by the ATC controller. - [NTSB SEA97FA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97FA076.md): Cessna 172P · Burlington, WY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 26, 1997 · N97527 · Destroyed > loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a related factor. - [NTSB MIA97FA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97FA013.md): Cessna 172P · St. Croix · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 26, 1996 · N9818L · Destroyed > the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed. - [NTSB IAD96FA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD96FA132.md): Cessna 172P · Summersville, WV · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 11, 1996 · N65632 · Destroyed > The pilot's improper flare, his delay in aborting a landing, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a bounced landing and a stall during climb out in an attempt to avoid collision with trees. - [NTSB MIA96WA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96WA058.md): Cessna 172 · Nassau, Bahamas · Accident · 5 fatal · Foreign investigation · Jan 7, 1996 · N55475 · Substantial damage - [NTSB FTW96FA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96FA058.md): Cessna 172P · Hallett, OK · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 2, 1995 · N98003 · Destroyed > The flight instructor's intentional low altitude flight maneuver. Factors were the static wire and the bright night condition. - [NTSB NYC95FA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95FA080.md): Cessna 172P · Naples, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 30, 1995 · N96746 · Destroyed > The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors contributing to the accident were: the night conditions, fog, low ceiling, and hilly terrain. - [NTSB FTW95FA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95FA050.md): Cessna 172P · Deming, NM · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 18, 1994 · N54378 · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude and clearance in moutainous terrain. Factors were rising terrain and gusty, high wind conditions. - [NTSB FTW94FA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94FA155.md): Cessna 172P · Arlington, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 13, 1994 · N98723 · Destroyed > The pilot's loss of aircraft control for an undetermined reason, while maneuvering in the vicinity of the airport. - [NTSB SEA94FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94FA014.md): Cessna 172P · Kelso, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 14, 1993 · N115FR · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to follow the published missed approach procedure. Factors in the accident were: the weather and mountainous terrain. - [NTSB BFO93LA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA156.md): Cessna 172P · Pembroke, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 4, 1993 · N50927 · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain proper altitude while manuevering in mountainous terrain. - [NTSB NYC93FA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93FA158.md): Cessna 172N · Lincoln Park, NJ · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 15, 1993 · N5226E · 2 aircraft · Destroyed > The failure of both pilots to maintain adequate visual lookout while in the airport traffic pattern, which resulted in an in-flight collision. - [NTSB SEA93FA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93FA125.md): Cessna 172P · Enumclaw, WA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 29, 1993 · N53408 · Destroyed > Inadvertent VFR flight into IMC. Factors to the accident were: fog and rain. - [NTSB LAX93FA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93FA160.md): Cessna 172P · Livermore, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 1, 1993 · N97462 · Destroyed > The pilot's decision to attempt VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors that contributed to this accident were: the pilot's lack of recent instrument experience, the rain and high wind conditions in the area. - [NTSB LAX93FA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93FA096.md): Cessna 172P · Sun City, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 20, 1993 · N53908 · Destroyed > The pilot's decision to initiate VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors which contributed to the accident were: the pilot's failure to obtain a weather briefing, the adverse weather, and the mountainous terrain. Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?model=2072436&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 ('2072436')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?fatal=1&model=2072436 --- 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.