# NTSB investigations: Cessna 172M, CA

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 5 · 201 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR26FA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA043.md): Cessna 172M · Poleta, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Nov 10, 2025 · N13221 · Substantial damage
  > On November 10, 2025, at about 1515 Pacific standard time, Cessna 172M, N13221, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Poleta, California. A pilot-rated passenger and a passenger were fatally injured, and the pilot was seriously…
- [NTSB WPR23LA315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA315.md): Cessna 172M · Marysville, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 10, 2023 · N20268 · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to monitor the airplane’s speed during a high-speed taxi, resulting in a runway excursion.
- [NTSB WPR23LA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA146.md): Cessna 172M · Santa Ana, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 1, 2023 · N1399U · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s failure to maintain clearance from a commercial airliner which resulted in an encounter with wake turbulence and subsequent loss of control resulting in impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR22LA371](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA371.md): Cessna 172M · Pacific Ocean, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 20, 2022 · N9670V
  > Undetermined because the airplane and pilot were not located.
- [NTSB WPR22LA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA111.md): Cessna 172M · Banning, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 26, 2022 · N9010H · Substantial damage
  > The solo student pilot's improper landing flare and bounced landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a parked vehicle and hanger.
- [NTSB WPR22FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA022.md): Cessna 172 · Ukiah, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Oct 28, 2021 · N1870V · Substantial damage
  > A power interruption due to water-contaminated fuel, which resulted in the student pilot aborting the takeoff and landing hard. Contributing to the accident were a leak in the left fuel tank that allowed water to enter and damage to the fuel tank that…
- [NTSB WPR19LA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA176.md): Cessna 172 · Fullerton, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 21, 2019 · N64460 · Substantial damage
  > Partial loss of engine power during takeoff due to an age-degraded carburetor heat valve seal, which detached and partially blocked the carburetor air inlet. Contributing to the accident was an inadequate maintenance inspection.
- [NTSB WPR19FA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19FA080.md): Cessna 172 · Desert Hot Springs, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 2 · Field · Final report · Feb 6, 2019 · N20556 · Destroyed
  > The pilot's inadequate and/or improper preparation for the flight in which he selected an altitude too low to assure terrain clearance and resulted in an impact with terrain in turbulent downdraft conditions.
- [NTSB GAA18CA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA201.md): Cessna 172 · Livermore, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 5, 2018 · N1438U · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain runway centerline and flight instructor’s delayed remedial action during landing.
- [NTSB GAA18CA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA048.md): Cessna 172M · Chico, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 19, 2017 · N9678Q · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight collision with a bird.
- [NTSB WPR15MA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15MA243.md): Cessna 172M · San Diego, CA · Accident · 5 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Aug 16, 2015 · N1285U · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > The local controller's (LC) failure to properly identify the aircraft in the pattern and to ensure control instructions provided to the intended Cessna on downwind were being performed before turning Eagle1 into its path for landing. Contributing to the LC's…
- [NTSB WPR14LA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA230.md): Cessna 172M · Laytonville, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 6, 2014 · N1186U · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s impairment due to alcohol ingestion, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from trees during a low-altitude flyby.
- [NTSB WPR14CA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA122.md): Cessna 172M · Ramona, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 25, 2014 · N91712 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's inadequate flare and failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR14CA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA074.md): Cessna 172M · Fullerton, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 23, 2013 · N80238 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing.
- [NTSB WPR13CA241](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA241.md): Cessna 172M · Truckee, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 23, 2013 · N8879V · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll which resulted in a collision with a tree.
- [NTSB WPR13LA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA224.md): Cessna 172M · Lakeport, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 29, 2013 · N20800 · Substantial damage
  > Loss of engine power during climb due to a failure of the No. 2 piston assembly; the reason for the failure could not be determined because of the extent of damage to the piston assembly.
- [NTSB WPR13FA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13FA211.md): Cessna 172RG · Calabasas, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Apr 29, 2013 · N4677V · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilots in both aircraft to maintain an adequate visual lookout, which resulted in a midair collision.
- [NTSB WPR13LA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA035.md): Cessna 172M · Modesto, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 6, 2012 · N21391 · Substantial damage
  > Failure of the throttle control cable during maneuvering flight, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.
- [NTSB WPR11FA415](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11FA415.md): Cessna 172M · Santa Monica, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 29, 2011 · N5155Q · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s misjudged approach and landing attempt. Contributing to the accident was a lack of airspeed due to a blocked pitot tube.
- [NTSB WPR10CA382](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA382.md): Boeing PT-13B · Santa Rosa, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 31, 2010 · N46590 · 2 aircraft · Minor damage
  > The failure of the pilot of another airplane to maintain clearance while taxiing.
- [NTSB OPS10IA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OPS10IA090.md): Boeing 737-7H4 · Burbank, CA · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Apr 19, 2010 · N473WN · 2 aircraft · No damage
  > The improper separation procedures by air traffic control.
- [NTSB WPR10LA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA115.md): Cessna 172M · Joshua Tree, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 18, 2010 · N13073 · Substantial damage
  > The certified flight instructor's decision to continue visual flight into deteriorating weather, which resulted in his inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and subsequent failure to maintain clearance with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR09CA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA206.md): Cessna 172M · Corona, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 21, 2009 · N9504H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper landing flare.
- [NTSB SEA08LA155](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08LA155.md): Cessna 172M · Oakland, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 30, 2008 · N61736 · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to oil starvation. The oil starvation event was due to the failure of maintenance personnel to tighten the mounting bolts for the newly installed vacuum pump.
- [NTSB LAX08CA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA192.md): Cessna 172M · San Diego, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 24, 2008 · N9629V · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a touch-and-go landing.
- [NTSB LAX08CA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA169.md): Cessna 172M · Byron, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 9, 2008 · N9328H · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout.
- [NTSB LAX08CA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA165.md): Cessna 172M · Byron, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 6, 2008 · N73403 · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, and his inadequate supervision of the student pilot. Factors contributing to the accident were a sudden wind shift and wind gusts.
- [NTSB SEA08LA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08LA142.md): Cessna 172M · Big Bear City, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 28, 2008 · N21134 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while on approach to landing that resulted in a stall/mush. Contributing to the accident was the wind shear and the high density altitude condition.
- [NTSB LAX07CA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA125.md): Cessna 172M · Stockton, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 12, 2007 · N9685Q · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion resulting from the pilot's inaccurate fuel consumption calculations and failure to refuel while en route.
- [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 LAX06CA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA252.md): Cessna 172M · San Andreas, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 3, 2006 · N12626 · Substantial damage
  > the student pilot's improper soft-field takeoff technique and failure to obtain and maintain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall mush. The certificated flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the maneuver was also causal.
- [NTSB LAX06CA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA115.md): Cessna 172M · Murrieta, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Feb 14, 2006 · N80859 · Substantial damage
  > a partial loss of engine power resulting from the student pilot's mismanagement of the mixture control.
- [NTSB LAX05LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA199.md): Cessna 172M · Carlsbad, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 10, 2005 · N1126U · 2 aircraft · Minor damage
  > the other pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain separation while taxiing.
- [NTSB LAX05LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA084.md): Cessna 172M · Desert Center, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 3, 2005 · N472RA · Substantial damage
  > The instructor's improper decision to land on the dry lakebed without knowing the condition of the landing surface. A factor in the accident was the soft sand surface of the lake bed.
- [NTSB LAX04CA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA023.md): Cessna 172M · Montague, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 23, 2003 · N80543 · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control.
- [NTSB LAX03CA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03CA266.md): Cessna 172M · Riverside, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 24, 2003 · N64291 · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's misjudged distance and altitude, and the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. Also causal was the instructor's delayed remedial action.
- [NTSB LAX03LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA033.md): Cessna 172M · Rosamond, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 16, 2002 · N548RM · Substantial damage
  > The fatigue failure of left main landing gear strut at the upper fuselage aft attachment hole, which resulted in the collapse of the left main landing gear during the landing roll.
- [NTSB LAX02LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA182.md): Cessna 172M · Mountain Ranch, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 4, 2002 · N61569 · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation and his in-flight planning/decision resulting in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power.
- [NTSB LAX02LA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA135.md): Cessna 172M · Avalon, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 24, 2002 · N61737 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate bounced landing recovery technique, which resulted in an inadvertent porpoise.
- [NTSB LAX01LA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA259.md): Cessna 172M · Placerville, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 25, 2001 · N8962V · Substantial damage
  > Inadequate airspeed during climb out following an aborted landing that was precipitated by the pilot's misjudged speed/distance on final approach. Also, contributing to the accident was the pilot's inexperience in the type of operation, his failure to…
- [NTSB LAX01LA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA221.md): Cessna 172M · Napa, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 25, 2001 · N1409V · Substantial damage
  > Loss of engine power due to the restricted movement of the number 1 exhaust valve that subsequently bent the exhaust push rod and push rod housing.
- [NTSB LAX00LA299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA299.md): Cessna 172M · Oakland, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 27, 2000 · N4312R · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper landing flare.
- [NTSB LAX00LA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA133.md): Cessna 172M · Sacramento, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 18, 2000 · N80205 · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the takeoff roll. A rough, uneven runway surface was a factor in the accident.
- [NTSB LAX99LA250](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA250.md): Cessna 172M · Fresno, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 10, 1999 · N73113 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's misjudged landing flare and inadequate recovery procedures from the subsequent bounced landing.
- [NTSB LAX99LA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA221.md): Cessna 172M · San Diego, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 21, 1999 · N61560 · Destroyed
  > The mechanic's improper installation of nonapproved automotive electrical system parts, and his failure to ensure that all electrical connections were secure during the reinstallation, which resulted in the failure of the electrical system. The pilot's…
- [NTSB LAX98LA253](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA253.md): Yakovlev YAK-55M · Lincoln, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 1, 1998 · N910RT · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The pilot of the other aircraft's inadequate visual lookout
- [NTSB LAX98FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98FA045.md): Cessna 152 · El Cajon, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 25, 1997 · N757FT · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > The solo student's failure to see and follow the other aircraft on the downwind as he had been instructed. Factors influencing this accident was the failure of the pilots in the other aircraft to see and avoid the aircraft encroaching on his flight path; the…
- [NTSB LAX97LA332](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA332.md): Cessna 172M · Long Beach, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 14, 1997 · N61913 · Substantial damage
  > the student pilot's misjudged landing flare which led to a balloon and subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB LAX97LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA113.md): Cessna 172M · Petaluma, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 24, 1997 · N20508 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and his failure to maintain directional control.
- [NTSB LAX96LA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA314.md): Cessna 172M · Truckee, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 24, 1996 · N64198 · Substantial damage
  > the student pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control. The encounter with a ditch was a related factor.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?model=2072418&state=CA&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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('2072418'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?model=2072418&state=CA

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