# NTSB investigations: Cessna 172: Loss of control - in flight 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. ## Latest cases - [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 ANC06CA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06CA006.md): Cessna 172 · Naknek, AK · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 23, 2005 · N6832A · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate removal of frost from the wings, and his failure to attain adequate airspeed during takeoff initial climb, which resulted in a stall and collision with terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's delayed aborted… - [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 CHI05CA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA155.md): Cessna 172 · Willis, MI · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 23, 2005 · N6324E · Substantial damage > The pilot's inability to maintain directional control of the airplane due to undetermined reasons. A factor associated with the accident were the trees that the airplane contacted during the aborted takeoff. - [NTSB ATL02LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA096.md): Cessna 172 · Livingston, TN · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 11, 2002 · N8608B · Substantial damage > The pilot failure to maintain flying speed, followed by a subsequent stall. - [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 CHI00LA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA305.md): Cessna 172 · Buffalo, MO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 2000 · N7353A · Substantial damage > The inadvertent stall during a go-around. Factors relating to this accident were the student pilot's improper in-flight decisions and his failure to raise the flaps during the go around. - [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 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 CHI98LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA122.md): Cessna 172 · Barrington Hill, IL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 14, 1998 · N6300E · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall/mush and subsequent in-flight collision with trees. - [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 NYC95LA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA217.md): Cessna 172 · Quakertown, PA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 2, 1995 · N7154T · Substantial damage > the pilot's failure to maintain directional control, and the pilot's improper use of the wing flaps, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, and contact with trees. A factor was the crosswind. - [NTSB SEA95LA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA160.md): Cessna 172 · Mazama, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 23, 1995 · N8627B · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed for the wind conditions during climbout. The gusty wind condition was a factor. - [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 BFO94LA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA136.md): Cessna 172 · Fisherville, KY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 15, 1994 · N6429B · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in a stall and inflight loss of control. - [NTSB FTW93LA184](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA184.md): Cessna 172 · Canyon Lake, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 1993 · N6446B · Substantial damage > The movement of the pilot's seat aft which resulted in his loss of control, his inability to regain control, and the ensuing inadvertent stall. A factor was the inadequate inspection of the airplane. - [NTSB CHI93LA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA090.md): Cessna 172 · Weeping Water, NE · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 13, 1993 · N6640A · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff when the airplane first touched down on the clear area adjacent to the departure runway. - [NTSB FTW92LA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA192.md): Cessna 172 · Vernon, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 28, 1992 · N5063A · Substantial damage > Aircraft control not maintained by pilot. A factor was unfavorable wind. - [NTSB CHI91LA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA243.md): Cessna 172 · Oberlin, KS · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 30, 1991 · N7113A · Substantial damage > The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Factors in the accident were the pilot's discontinuing his crosswind compensation and his lack of experience in the type of operation. - [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 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 ATL89LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA084.md): Cessna 172 · Galion, OH · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 1, 1989 · N8121B · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to retract the flaps prior to adding power for takeoff resulting in a premature lift-off, and the pilot's failure to maintian control of the airplane after lift-off which resulted in a stall/mush. - [NTSB ATL89FA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA081.md): Cessna 172 · Hartsville, TN · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 21, 1989 · N5834A · Substantial damage > The pilot allowing the aircraft to lift-off prematurly at a slow airspeed and his failure to maintain directional control before inadvertently entering a stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's experience level and lack of qualifications. - [NTSB DEN88LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA209.md): Cessna 172 · Questa, NM · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 29, 1988 · N8517B · Substantial damage > The private plt and 1 pax were taking off using 2,500 ft of a 4,000 x 50 ft dirt strip with a d/a of 9,200 ft. during intial climb the plt noticed a sink rate. The plt said he varied the angle of flaps from 5 to 25 deg 'in search of lift.' The right wing and… - [NTSB MIA88LA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA270.md): Cessna 172 · Panacea, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 1988 · N7048A · Destroyed > The pilot stated that while attempting a go-around he inadvertently selected all flaps up and the aircraft crashed into the trees at the end of the runway. - [NTSB CHI88LA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA176.md): Cessna 172 · Carbon, IN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 27, 1988 · N6818A · Substantial damage - [NTSB CHI88LA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88LA174.md): Cessna 172 · Neillsville, WI · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 27, 1988 · N5700A · Destroyed - [NTSB MKC88LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA088.md): Cessna 172 · Concordia, KS · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 12, 1988 · N8240B · Substantial damage > While attempting a crosswind landing, PIC decided to make a go-around. During the go-around the acft stalled, struck the terrain and cartwheeled. - [NTSB LAX88LA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA072.md): Cessna 172 · Fallbrook, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 20, 1987 · N7970B · Destroyed > The plt stated that while on short final to rwy 36, approx 5 to 6 ft AGL ovr the rwy, he noticed another acft approaching fm the opposite direction. He initiated a climbing right turn and collided with a tree located abt 150 ft to the right of the rwy… - [NTSB SEA87FA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87FA152.md): Cessna 172 · Pahrump, NV · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 2, 1987 · N8696B · Destroyed > The pilot entered a box canyon and attempted to either outclimb the terrain or reverse course. The aircraft's airspeed was allowed to decrease below vs and the aircraft stalled. A density altitude of approximately 9500 feet existed at the time. Insufficient… - [NTSB DEN85LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA119.md): Cessna 172 · Opheim, MT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 20, 1985 · N6495E · Substantial damage > The plt took off on a wet-soft airstrip which made the takeoff run longer than normal. The initial climb was at minimum airspeed when gusty winds caused the acft to stall. The acft impacted the ground and was substantially damaged. - [NTSB FTW85LA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA115.md): Cessna 172K · Mccoy, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 8, 1985 · N79043 · Substantial damage > The plt stated that he had departed the gala ranch strip & was flying at aprx 100 ft AGL to show his passengers their ranch property. While in slow flight with the flaps deployed, the plt entered a downwind skidding left turn. The acft subsequently stalled &… - [NTSB LAX84LA289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA289.md): Cessna 172 · Montague, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 12, 1984 · N5654A · Substantial damage > An improper ldg flare by the dual student plt caused the acft to balloon to 15 to 20 ft AGL. The CFI called for power, but the student delayed adding power & raised the nose. At the sound of the stall warning horn, a go-around was called for by the CFI &… - [NTSB ATL83LA320](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA320.md): Cessna 172 · Folkstone, NC · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 10, 1983 · N4245F · Substantial damage > The plt reported that during takeoff, his seat slid all the way aft. When this occurred, he pulled the yoke aft & the acf entered a power on stall & crashed. Reportedly, the plt did not secure the seat before taking off. ## 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 ('2072402') AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 250)) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?model=2072402&occurrence=250 --- 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.