# NTSB investigations: Cessna 172M: In flight encounter with weather 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 SEA07FA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07FA012.md): Cessna 172M · Escalante, UT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 25, 2006 · N9179D · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were the pilot's lack of experience of flying on instruments on a dark night and in rainy weather. - [NTSB LAX06CA253](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA253.md): Cessna 172M · Gasquet, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 4, 2006 · N5262R · Substantial damage > the pilot's selection of a runway favoring tailwind conditions, his delayed decision to go around, and his failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed during the aborted landing. Contributing factors were the tailwind and wind shear conditions… - [NTSB IAD04LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD04LA036.md): Cessna 172M · Brownville Junc, ME · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 12, 2004 · N12959 · Substantial damage > The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the airplane's controlled flight into rising terrain. Factors included the instrument meteorological conditions and the rising terrain. - [NTSB NYC04CA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04CA072.md): Cessna 172 · West Dover, VT · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 14, 2004 · N8880V · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, and his failure to perform a go-around. Factors were wind gusts and the pilot's lack of flight experience. - [NTSB ATL03LA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA131.md): Cessna 172M · Hendersonville, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 30, 2003 · N19929 · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather. The downdraft was a contributing factor. - [NTSB FTW03LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA056.md): Cessna 172M · Vici, OK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 3, 2002 · N4470R · Substantial damage > The pilot's departure and continued flight into adverse weather conditions. Contributing factors were the icing conditions, and the lack of suitable terrain for the precautionary landing. - [NTSB ANC00LA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA111.md): Cessna 172 · Alexander Creek, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 22, 2000 · N12188 · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors associated with the accident were gusty winds, and a downdraft. - [NTSB MIA00LA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA187.md): Cessna 172M · Davis, NC · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 8, 2000 · N4422Q · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind. The crosswind was a contributing factor. - [NTSB IAD98FA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98FA072.md): Cessna 172M · Hebron, CT · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 22, 1998 · N12912 · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to obtain a weather briefing which resulted in inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation. Factors in this accident were low ceilings and… - [NTSB ANC98FA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98FA048.md): Cessna 172M · Palmer, AK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 15, 1998 · N9212H · Substantial damage > The pilot's intentional flight into known adverse weather conditions. Contributing factors were the terrain induced turbulence, clouds, the pilot's overconfidence in his abilities, and mountainous terrain conditions. - [NTSB CHI96LA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA103.md): Cessna 172 · Valparaiso, IN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 5, 1996 · N21662 · Substantial damage > the pilot's continued flight into adverse weather. Factors were the low ceilings, icing conditions, airframe ice, and the muddy field. - [NTSB SEA94LA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA133.md): Cessna 172M · Lookout Pass, ID · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 29, 1994 · N30608 · Destroyed > Poor in-flight planning. Factors include cloudy weather. - [NTSB DEN93FA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93FA097.md): Cessna 172M · Clines Corners, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 3, 1993 · N23459 · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain a safe and proper altitude. Factors were the pilot's failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing, dark night condition, and weather conditions that included obscuration, fog, and drizzle. - [NTSB FTW93FA128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93FA128.md): Cessna 172M · Hobart, OK · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 13, 1993 · N61529 · Destroyed > Inadvertent stall. Factors were the instructor pilot's spatial disorientation, his lack of total instrument time, the weather, and the dark night conditions. - [NTSB BFO93LA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA059.md): Cessna 172 · Lewisburg, OH · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 26, 1993 · N73436 · Substantial damage > The pilot experienced spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the dark night and inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions. - [NTSB FTW93FA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93FA039.md): Cessna 172M · Snook, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 19, 1992 · N9323H · Destroyed > The pilot's intentional flight into instrument meteorological conditions as a result of his alcoholic and drug impairment of efficiency and judgement. Factors contributing to the accident were: the pilot's failure to obtain weather information, the dark night… - [NTSB FTW92LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA114.md): Cessna 172M · Stuttgart, AR · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 12, 1992 · N6934H · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to compensate for wind conditions. Factors were the crosswind and the downdraft. - [NTSB FTW92LA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA017.md): Cessna 172M · Springer, NM · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 2, 1991 · N61539 · Substantial damage > The pilot's poor judgement in attempting flight into forcasted adverse weather, his disregard for the hazardous weather advisory received which resulted in partial loss of engine power as a result of a blocked induction system due to ice and snow, and the… - [NTSB DEN90LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA079.md): Cessna 172M · Colorado Spring, CO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 25, 1990 · N19948 · Substantial damage > The pilot's decision to initiate flight into known adverse weather, and his in-flight planning/decison. Factors related to the accident were: the adverse weather conditions, and the accumulation of airframe ice. - [NTSB SEA90FA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA133.md): Cessna 172M · Snoqualmie, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 8, 1989 · N73422 · Destroyed > Intentional flight into known adverse weather conditions and poor weather evaluation by the pilot. - [NTSB MIA89LA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA152.md): Cessna 172M · Okeechobee, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 23, 1989 · N9139H · Substantial damage > The pilot's poor preflight preparation when he failed to recheck weather conditions after he delayed takeoff because of thunderstroms. Also, the pilot's poor inflight decision to land off-airport rather than return to the departure airport. - [NTSB MIA89FA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89FA109.md): Cessna 172M · Pascagoula, MS · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 17, 1989 · N80542 · Destroyed > Continued flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Contributing factors were: inadequate preflight planning, weather conditions, pilot's lack of instrument flight time, lack of visual cues at night, and trees at the crash site. - [NTSB LAX89FA091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA091.md): Cessna 172M · Oxnard, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 6, 1989 · N61587 · Destroyed > Continued VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorlogical conditions which resulted in an in-flight collsion with terrain. Related factors were: failure of the pilot to use a preflight briefing service, his decision to initiate flight into known adverse… - [NTSB SEA88LA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA088.md): Cessna 172M · Hood River, OR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 6, 1988 · N12659 · Substantial damage > Plt had diverted back along course to land because of observed wx ahead. On late final, a strong wind gust tipped the acft to near wings-vertical attitude. Plt managed to correct to wings level but could not control altitude loss before ground contact. Plt… - [NTSB FTW88FA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA084.md): Cessna 172M · Hope, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 31, 1988 · N6534H · Destroyed > The non-instrument rated pilot initiated the flight into known adverse weather after being advised during a preflight weather briefing that VFR flight was not recommended. About 40 minutes before the crash, he called el dorado (Arkansas) radio and requested… - [NTSB DEN88FA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA071.md): Cessna 172M · Red Lodge, MT · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 7, 1988 · N20484 · Destroyed > The plt and two pax were returning to twin falls, id from billings, MT. The plt rec two wx briefings prior to dep. The wx forecast indicated low clouds, snow, turb and icing cond along the intended route of flight. The route of flight required the plt to… - [NTSB MIA87LA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA090.md): Cessna 172M · Cedar Key, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 20, 1987 · N12198 · Substantial damage > The plt was attempting to go around after landing fast, due to a tail wind that was stronger that anticipated. Unable to climb, the acft was then blown off the rwy, collided with trees, & came to rest in the gulf of Mexico. - [NTSB LAX87LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA092.md): Cessna 172M · Oakdale, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 19, 1987 · N12551 · Substantial damage > During a solo instructional flight the student pilot was practicing touch and go landings. Upon take-off on runway 28, the wind was light from 100 degrees. On the first landing the wind had changed to a right cross wind from the north. The pilot compensated… - [NTSB SEA86LA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA244.md): Cessna 172 M · Red'S Horse Ran, OR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 13, 1986 · N12135 · Destroyed > The pilot was attempting to depart an airstrip with a strong tail wind. 10 to 20 feet AGL the aircraft descended back onto the ground to the right of the airstrip, bounced, rolled through a wire fence and onto soft muddy terrain. The nose wheel dug into the… - [NTSB LAX86LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA205.md): Cessna 172M · Oakland, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 3, 1986 · N9656V · Substantial damage > Before takeoff, the plt tuned in the hayward ATIS & received information alpha, which rprtd the wx was: 2200' scattered,3000' overcast & visibility 8 mi. After taking off from rwy 28R, the plt climbed to about 650' & made a rgt turn. At about that time, the… - [NTSB ATL86LLQ01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LLQ01.md): Cessna 172 · London, KY · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Oct 3, 1985 · N20273 · Substantial damage > The acft crashed during a forced landing after fuel exhaustion during a x-country flt. The plt had encountered wx and in attempting to reach an alternate arpt the acft ran out of fuel. The plt was not instrument rated and the wx at London was 600 ft overcast… - [NTSB ANC85FA138](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85FA138.md): Cessna 172M · Red Devil, AK · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 29, 1985 · N12904 · Destroyed > Shortly after the plt took off on a ngt flt to bethel, the acft crashed just north of the east/west rwy in a nose down attitude & on a southwesterly heading. The acft was destroyed during impact, but contd sliding aprx 35 yds to the north edge of the rwy,… - [NTSB MKC85LA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA063.md): Cessna 172M · Fort Madison, IA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 16, 1985 · N61868 · Substantial damage > The plt stated that an inflight encounter with a gust of wind during landing resulted in a sharp loss of altitude and a bounced landing. Consequently a second gust on rollout followed by the plts loss of directional control resulted in the acft departing the… - [NTSB ATL85LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA045.md): Cessna 172M · Ahoskie, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 27, 1984 · N12946 · Destroyed > While on a night VFR local area flight the pilot noticed haze obscuring the lights on the ground. He returned to the airport and activated the REIL lights, he lost sight of the lights as he entered the traffic pattern. During the left turn to base, he entered… - [NTSB LAX85FA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA048.md): Cessna 172M · Lake Isabella, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 23, 1984 · N9589V · Destroyed > Acft departed arpt in mountain valley (elev 2,614) generally direct toward a saddle pass (elev 6,500) about 1 mi nw & on the lee side of the valley. Tops of the mountains around the valley average about 7,000 ft MSL. Flt encountered updrafts during climb… - [NTSB SEA85FA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85FA016.md): Cessna 172M · Aberdeen, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 16, 1984 · N1150T · Destroyed > Acft wreckage indicates impact was nose down inverted. No evidence was found of acft failure/malfunction. Plt departed on night cross-country after an evening out with friends. Wreckage found two months later, no toxicological tests possible. - [NTSB LAX84LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA149.md): Cessna 172M · Kelseyville, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 21, 1984 · N5154H · Destroyed > The plt became disoriented while in IMC and could not locate the arpt. The ple stated that due to lights on the ground he thought that he was over the peninsula, which is an area of low terrain. He attempted a 180 deg turn after descendingto 500 ft MSL. The… - [NTSB FTW84FA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA023.md): Cessna 172M · Redfield, AR · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 16, 1983 · N321HR · Destroyed > At aprx 1331 CDT, the plt entered the pine bluff fss station & requested a briefing for a VFR flt to springfield, MO. He was advised that VFR flt was not recommended. The plt returned again between 1335 & 1350 & was seen examining the wx charts. At aprx 1420,… - [NTSB CHI83FA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA089.md): Cessna 172 · Rockford, IL · Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 24, 1983 · N61558 · Destroyed > The acft collided into the 2nd floor of a building while making an ILS approach to runway 36 at Rockford, IL. The weather was IMC. An IFR flight plan was filed. A pilot weather briefing was not given. The pilot was instrument rated. An approach was attempted… - [NTSB NYC83FA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA033.md): Cessna 172M · Williamsport, PA · Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 28, 1982 · N1498U · Substantial damage > The aircraft departed the airport with ice on the airframe. The pilot encountered more icing in flight and decided to return to the airport, but was unable to maintain his altitude. The aircraft collided with trees during a forced landing. The pilot had been… - [NTSB ATL82FA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA153.md): Cessna 172M · Alabaster, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 4, 1982 · N5443H · Destroyed > At 0755, the plt contacted birmingham approach control & reported 35 mi south at 2,000 ft. he was advised of the bhm wx & that it was IFR at the arpt. The pilot stated he would like to land at another arpt & was given his approximate position to three arpts.… - [NTSB MIA82DA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA82DA047.md): Cessna 172 · San Juan, PR · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Feb 15, 1982 · N21732 · Substantial damage > On final approach the tower controller told the flight that other aircraft had reported wind shear below 800 feet. The pilot landed the aircraft and ran off the right side of the runway. The pilot reported wind gusts to 21 knots. - [NTSB NYC82FNA10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FNA10.md): Cessna 172 · Taunton, MA · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Jan 24, 1982 · N80420 · Substantial damage > The student pilot took off at night on an unsupervised pleasure flight. His passenger did not hold any type of pilot certificate. After takeoff, the pilot encountered fog. He used the nbd for orientation and was able to return to the airport. He reported… ## 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_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 240)) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?model=2072418&occurrence=240 --- 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.