# NTSB investigations: Cessna 172N: 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. Page 1 of 2 · 72 cases ## Latest cases - [NTSB SEA07CA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA183.md): Cessna 172N · Greenwater, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 26, 2007 · N733XW · Substantial damage > The in-flight encounter with a sudden windshift during the takeoff initial climb, to which the certified flight instructor responded by aborting the takeoff and landing off the end of the runway. The ditch was a contributing factor. - [NTSB ANC05FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05FA037.md): Cessna 172 · Cedar Key, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 22, 2005 · N739NK · Destroyed > The pilot's continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an abrupt maneuver to avoid a power line, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, a loss of control, and subsequent collision… - [NTSB NYC05LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05LA033.md): Cessna 172N · Mount Gilead, OH · Accident · 3 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 30, 2004 · N737AZ · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane following an inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions. A factor in the accident was the rapidly deteriorating weather. - [NTSB NYC05FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05FA001.md): Cessna 172N · Germantown, NY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 10, 2004 · N2771J · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision which led to VFR flight into IMC and his loss of aircraft control. Factors were night and cloud conditions. - [NTSB ATL04CA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04CA129.md): Cessna 172N · Dover, TN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 12, 2004 · N5153E · Substantial damage > The certified flight instructor initiated flight into thunderstorm activity that resulted in a loss of control and the subsequent collision with trees. - [NTSB SEA04LA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA038.md): Cessna 172N · Rigby, ID · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 28, 2004 · N734CB · Substantial damage > The flight instructor's failure to follow procedures, i.e., operating the non-icing certified aircraft in known icing conditions contrary to the pilot operators handbook which resulted in ice accretion and ultimately a stall and loss of control in flight.… - [NTSB CHI03FA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03FA086.md): Cessna 172N · Foley, MN · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Mar 16, 2003 · N5315D · Destroyed > The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions which led to spatial disorientation and subsequent impact with the ground. Contributing factors was the pilot's lack of instrument rating, the pilot's disregard of the preflight… - [NTSB CHI03FA071](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03FA071.md): Cessna 172N · Wellington, KS · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 15, 2003 · N5898E · Destroyed > Spatial disorientation experienced by the pilot and his subsequent failure to maintain control of the aircraft. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to obtain an updated preflight weather briefing prior to the return flight, his attempted flight into… - [NTSB LAX03FA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FA077.md): Cessna 172N · Kalaupapa, HI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 25, 2003 · N911FC · Destroyed > the student pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into IMC, which resulted in his in-flight collision with mountainous terrain while maneuvering. A contributing factor was the low ceiling weather condition. - [NTSB LAX01FA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01FA134.md): Cessna 172N · Rialto, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 1, 2001 · N739WE · Destroyed > The pilot's intentional visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper weather evaluation and lack of total experience. - [NTSB ANC00FA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00FA076.md): Cessna 172N · Tuntutuliak, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 23, 2000 · N4762D · Destroyed > The pilot's disregard of the existing wind conditions, and an inadvertent stall. Factors associated with the accident are a tailwind, and wind gusts. - [NTSB MIA00LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA028.md): Cessna 172N · Defuniak Spgs, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 22, 1999 · N733AH · Substantial damage > Was the pilot's failure to obtain a proper weather briefing resulting in his encounter with fog, his having to make a precautionary landing in a field when the aircraft became low on fuel, and the on ground collision with trees during landing roll. - [NTSB NYC99FA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99FA214.md): Cessna 172N · Dyke, VA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 25, 1999 · N733DH · Destroyed > The pilot's inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his inability to see the rapidly rising terrain. A factor was the pilot's inaccurate evaluation of the weather. - [NTSB FTW99FA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99FA033.md): Cessna 172N · Bacliff, TX · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 24, 1998 · N4908D · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his inability to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from the wire. Contributing to the accident were the fog, low ceilings and his lack of instrument time. - [NTSB ATL99LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA013.md): Cessna 172N · Lima, SC · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 8, 1998 · N4696G · Destroyed > The flight instructor's intentional flight into Instrument Meteorological Conditions. Factors were trees and mountainous terrain. - [NTSB SEA98LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA070.md): Cessna 172N · Enumclaw, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 5, 1998 · N6468D · Substantial damage > The pilot's continued VFR flight into IMC conditions and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Clouds and mountainous terrain were a factor. - [NTSB LAX98FA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98FA052.md): Cessna 172N · Lytle Creek, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 7, 1997 · N3548E · Destroyed > the non-instrument rated pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and subsequent loss of aircraft control, due to spatial disorientation. Factors relating to the accident were: the adverse weather conditions (low ceiling… - [NTSB MIA96LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA044.md): Cessna 172N · Bryceville, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 17, 1995 · N75938 · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper planning/decision. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's inaccurate evaluation of the weather conditions, the pilot becoming lost/disoriented, and the lack of braking action on wet grass during the precautionary landing. - [NTSB CHI96LA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA039.md): Cessna 172 · Stevens Point, WI · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 26, 1995 · N6293F · Substantial damage > flying into known icing conditions and descending below the minimum descent altitude. - [NTSB CHI95LA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA195.md): Cessna 172 · St Cloud, MN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 22, 1995 · N2027E · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper inflight planning/decision, which resulted in continued flight into adverse weather. Factors relating to the accident were: the thunderstorm outflow, and inadequate weather evaluation by the pilot. - [NTSB ATL95FA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95FA088.md): Cessna 172N · Atlanta, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 22, 1995 · N3220E · Substantial damage > The pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to a drug, VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and failure to remain clear of the obstacle (towering smoke stack). Factors relating to the accident were: the adverse weather conditions. - [NTSB SEA95FA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95FA018.md): Cessna 172N · Klamath Falls, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 9, 1994 · N584WA · Destroyed > The VFR pilot's attempt to continue the flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain altitude/clearance with the mountainous terrain below him. Contributing to the accident was a downdraft. - [NTSB ATL95FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95FA009.md): Cessna 172N · Gerton, NC · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 31, 1994 · N5338D · Destroyed > The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation and his intentional visual flight into IMC. - [NTSB NYC94FA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94FA126.md): Cessna 172N · Trout Run, PA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 13, 1994 · N3150E · Destroyed > the delayed decision of the pilot to deviate from known weather which resulted in an inflight loss of control and impact with terrain. - [NTSB ATL94LA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA107.md): Cessna 172N · Hartford, AL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 26, 1994 · N73846 · Substantial damage > The student pilot's inadequate compensation for gusting wind conditions during the approach to land. Factors were the instructor pilot's inadequate supervision of his student, the gusting wind conditions, and the trees located in close proximity to the runway. - [NTSB LAX94FA185](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94FA185.md): Cessna 172N · Julian, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 9, 1994 · N6242D · Destroyed > Improper planning/decision by the pilot(s). Factors related to the accident were: the high/mountainous terrain and adverse weather conditions. - [NTSB SEA93FA179](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93FA179.md): Cessna 172N · Lake Fork, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 21, 1993 · N75644 · Destroyed > Poor judgment of the pilot by flying while under the influence of alcohol and a drug, his continued flight into an area of adverse weather, and his failure to maintain adequate clearance (or altitude) from mountainous terrain. Factors related to the accident… - [NTSB LAX93FA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93FA223.md): Cessna 172N · Lompoc, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 25, 1993 · N4783J · Destroyed > VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain proper altitude (or clearance) from mountainous terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: the low ceiling, fog, drizzle, obscuration, and mountainous… - [NTSB CHI92FA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92FA059.md): Cessna 172N · Cumberland, WI · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 17, 1991 · N73920 · Destroyed > Failure to maintain aircraft control by the pilot in commnd. Factors in the accident are the pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather, a blocked pitot static system, lack of total expereince in type of operation, and lack of total expereince in… - [NTSB CHI91LA234](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA234.md): Cessna 172 · Sheboygan, WI · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 27, 1991 · N4821G · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors are the pilot's lack of total expereince, his inadequate recovery from the bounced landing and the crosswind condition. - [NTSB ATL91FA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91FA084.md): Cessna 172N · Dunlap, TN · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 20, 1991 · N5738J · Destroyed > The pilot-in-command's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, his attempted VFR flight into IFR conditions, and his subsequent failure to maintain a proper altitude. Factors in the accident were: the mountainous terrain, the foggy, low ceiling conditions… - [NTSB CHI90FA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90FA263.md): Cessna 172N · Paris, IL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 13, 1990 · N75785 · Destroyed > The pilot's continuation of VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors contributing to the accident were the fog and the dark night. - [NTSB LAX90FA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA180.md): Cessna 172N · Salinas, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 18, 1990 · N9993G · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain while attempting visual flight in instrument meteorological conditions. Self induced pressure to adhere to the proposed flight route in instrument meteorological conditions was a factor. - [NTSB ATL90LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA077.md): Cessna 172N · Ocilla, GA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 15, 1990 · N733BV · Substantial damage > The aircraft's encounter with low level windshear resulting in an uncontrollable descent. - [NTSB NYC90FA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90FA041.md): Cessna 172N · Washington Twp, NJ · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 26, 1989 · N3353E · Destroyed > The failure of the pilot to properly pre-flight plan and execute the VFR flight. Factor's related to the accident were: the pilot's inexperience; no visual cues (lights) due to dark night conditions; the pilot's disregard of the weather briefing. - [NTSB ATL90FA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA008.md): Cessna 172N · Eddyville, KY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 16, 1989 · N733WK · Destroyed > The pilot continuing VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. Contributing factor(s) was: low ceiling and rain. - [NTSB DEN89FA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89FA222.md): Cessna 172N · Afton, WY · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 18, 1989 · N739XX · Destroyed > The non-instrument rated pilot's continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude to clear the terrain. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, adverse weather conditions, and… - [NTSB MKC89LA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA100.md): Cessna 172 · Wentzville, MO · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 4, 1989 · N5092D · Substantial damage > The pilot's delay in aborting the landing, and his failure to maintain clearance from the power lines. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's selection of the wrong runway, the adverse weather conditions, the pilot's failure to attain the proper… - [NTSB ATL89LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA127.md): Cessna 172 · Xenia, OH · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 12, 1989 · N4898G · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision and improper use of the flaps. Contributing was the downdraft. - [NTSB MKC89LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA056.md): Cessna 172 · Ainsworth, NE · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 29, 1989 · N4843G · Substantial damage > The loss of power from undetermined reasons during an attempted go-around. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane and the crosswind conditions. - [NTSB LAX89FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA022.md): Cessna 172N · Petaluma, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 22, 1988 · N9372E · Destroyed > Pilot used poor judgement when he attempted v.f.r. flight during instrument meteorological conditions and that he encountered spatial disorientation when he entered into the clouds. - [NTSB NYC88FA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88FA236.md): Cessna 172N · Adams, MA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 17, 1988 · N6586J · Destroyed > Pilot's inadequate preflight planning and improper inflight decisions, he continued VFR into IFR conditions. The air route traffic control center service was improper. - [NTSB ATL88FA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA043.md): Cessna 172N · Blanchester, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 24, 1987 · N5548J · Destroyed > The aircraft departed before dawn from a private sod airstrip owned by the pilot, and collided with trees shortly thereafter. The pilot's wife said that the airstrip was not foggy when her husband took off, but the witness reported that the fog at the… - [NTSB CHI87DEX03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DEX03.md): Cessna 172N · Raymond, OH · Accident · 3 fatal · Final report · Nov 27, 1986 · N4767E · Destroyed > The accident aircraft impacted in an open field shortly after a predawn departure from an unattended airport. IMC prevailed an no flight plan was in effect. In a conversaton held the day before with a local pilot the pilot of the accident aircraft stated his… - [NTSB NYC87FA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA011.md): Cessna 172 · Croton On Hud., NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 14, 1986 · N6090J · Destroyed > Student pilot advised by millville fss that VFR flight not recommended due to current and forecast IFR conditions throughout route of flight. Acft observed flying near base of low clouds and in and out of clouds prior to crashing in a residential area. - [NTSB SEA87LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA002.md): Cessna 172N · Roseburg, OR · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 4, 1986 · N734EP · Destroyed > The plt initiated the takeoff from a taxiway with a 100 ft obscured sky and 1/4 visibility in fog. The non-instrument rated plt was unable to maintain the rwy heading during initial climb. The acft drifted to the right of the taxiway and struck trees located… - [NTSB MKC86LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA182.md): Cessna 172 · Hayes Center, NE · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 30, 1986 · N75571 · Substantial damage > While en route, the plt encountered deteriorating wx conditions. He stated that he found himself above an overcast with visibilities decreasing. He saw a hole in the cloud layer and descended thru it. He stated that wx conditions were bad below the cloud… - [NTSB LAX86LA210](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA210.md): Cessna 172N · Clearlake, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 30, 1986 · N738JE · Substantial damage > The flt instructor (CFI) said he was instructing the student in how to judge a straight-in approach and landing to a dock with minimal taxiing required. During the approach, the CFI determined that the student was overshooting the desired touchdown point, so… - [NTSB SEA86LA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA104.md): Cessna 172N · Pioche, NV · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 12, 1986 · N734JP · Substantial damage > While on a quarter mile final to runway 06 with winds from 150 degrees at 15 knots gusting to 30 knots the pilot experienced turbulence. The pilot reported he retracted the flaps from 10 degrees and added full power. The aircraft climbed approximately 20 feet… - [NTSB DEN86LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA044.md): Cessna 172N · Logan, UT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 16, 1985 · N739KU · Substantial damage > The plt stated that shortly after a night departure, the acft entered a fog bank. The plt said he was turning to reverse direction and descending in order to avoid IMC. Prior to completing the turn, the plt encountered IMC and lost all outside visual… Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?model=2072434&occurrence=240&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."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('2072434') 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=2072434&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.