# NTSB investigations: Cessna 172N, 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 6 · 251 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR27LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR27LA009.md): Cessna 172N · Knights Landing, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Investigation open · Oct 1, 2026 · N75513
- [NTSB WPR26FA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA330.md): Cessna 172N · San Diego, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report · Sep 8, 2026 · N734ZK · Destroyed
  > On September 7, 2026, about 1720 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N734ZK, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near San Diego, California. The flight instructor and student pilot were fatally injured. The airplane was being operated as a…
- [NTSB WPR26LA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA169.md): Cessna 172N · Carlsbad, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Apr 22, 2026 · N733WT · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while landing in gusting crosswind conditions.
- [NTSB WPR24LA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA229.md): Cessna 172N · San Diego, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 2, 2024 · N74C · Substantial damage
  > A failure of the No. 2 cylinder due to fatigue cracking as the result of an undersized fillet radius around the edge of the cylinder head dome.
- [NTSB WPR24LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA089.md): Cessna 172N · Madera, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 11, 2024 · N737LU · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.
- [NTSB WPR24LA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA049.md): Cessna 172N · Watsonville, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 29, 2023 · N6212F · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight collision with a bird while in the initial climb.
- [NTSB OPS24LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OPS24LA004.md): Airbus A321-271N · Long Beach, CA · Incident · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 27, 2023 · N216HA · 2 aircraft · No damage
  > The local controller’s poor judgment in prioritization of their ground traffic ahead of their airborne traffic, that became a distraction and led to a loss of situational awareness resulting in a near midair collision. Contributing to the incident was the…
- [NTSB WPR23LA349](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA349.md): Cessna 172N · Compton, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 20, 2023 · N733ZN · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power on takeoff due to water-contaminated fuel. Contributing to the accident was the inadequately maintained fuel system, which resulted in water entering the fuel tanks through the filler caps.
- [NTSB WPR23LA274](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA274.md): Cessna 172N · Long Beach, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 10, 2023 · N3307E · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing and the subsequent go-around, which resulted in impact with a hangar.
- [NTSB WPR23FA258](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA258.md): Cessna 172N · San Rafael, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 9, 2023 · N4922G · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing as a result of the pilot’s failure to activate the carburetor heat in a timely manner during the descent.
- [NTSB WPR23FA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23FA247.md): Cessna 172N · Murrieta, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 4, 2023 · N5243E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Contributing to the loss of control was the pilot’s sudden retraction of the flaps.
- [NTSB WPR23LA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA124.md): Cessna 172N · Van Nuys, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Mar 10, 2023 · N73726 · Substantial damage
  > The pilots failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
- [NTSB WPR22LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA069.md): Cessna 172N · Auburn, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 22, 2021 · N6280F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during an instrument approach, which resulted in an impact with power lines.
- [NTSB WPR21LA348](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA348.md): Cessna 172N · Grass Valley, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Sep 19, 2021 · N4977G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to attain a proper touchdown point on the runway while landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a runway overrun. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction due to an electrical issue.
- [NTSB WPR21LA331](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA331.md): Cessna 172N · Hayward, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 23, 2021 · N737GL · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR21LA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA311.md): Cessna 172N · Kernville, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 25, 2021 · N728KG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during landing after an encounter with a wind gust which resulted in a collision with trees.
- [NTSB WPR21LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA069.md): Cessna 172 · San Diego, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 13, 2020 · N5098E · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to the fatigue fracture of the No. 3 exhaust valve rocker arm stud.
- [NTSB WPR21LA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA080.md): Cessna 172 · Palm Springs, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 4, 2020 · N737NB · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during an attempted go-around, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, aerodynamic stall, and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR20LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA212.md): Cessna 172 · Lake Tahoe, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 7, 2020 · N6328D · Destroyed
  > The partial loss of engine power due to carbon buildup in the No. 4 cylinder resulting from the pilot’s inadequate mixture-leaning procedures.
- [NTSB WPR20CA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA178.md): Cessna 172 · Santa Barbara, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Jun 9, 2020 · N75989 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a fence.
- [NTSB WPR20LA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA136.md): Cessna 172 · Fresno, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 2, 2020 · N734NW · Substantial damage
  > The partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.
- [NTSB GAA19CA448](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA448.md): Cessna 172 · Van Nuys, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 23, 2019 · N737DW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a left quartering crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with runway lighting.
- [NTSB GAA19CA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA247.md): Cessna 172 · Auburn, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 6, 2019 · N734DX · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper retraction of the flaps during a go-around and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB ANC18LA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA079.md): Cessna 172 · Fullerton, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 17, 2018 · N734RS · Substantial damage
  > The National Transportation Safety Board did not determine the probable cause of this event and does not plan to issue a report or open a public docket. The investigation of this event is being conducted under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of…
- [NTSB GAA18CA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA232.md): Cessna 172 · San Jose, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 20, 2018 · N23AT · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain the runway heading during the approach to land, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.
- [NTSB GAA18CA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA063.md): Cessna 172N · San Diego, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 20, 2017 · N172SX · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight collision with a bird.
- [NTSB WPR17FA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA196.md): Cessna 172N · Bolinas, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 7, 2017 · N737QQ · Substantial damage
  > The non-instrument rated private pilot's improper decision to embark on a flight and continue to fly into forecasted instrument meteorological conditions and mountain obscuration while conducting a visual flight rules flight.
- [NTSB WPR17FA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA171.md): Cessna 172N · Big Bear, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 29, 2017 · N5381J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during takeoff in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, loss of control, and subsequent impact with terrain.
- [NTSB GAA17CA411](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA411.md): Spani Wayne M Starduster TOO SA300 · San Diego, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 16, 2017 · N506WS · 2 aircraft · Minor damage
  > The other pilot's failure to maintain separation from a stationary airplane during the taxi to the runway.
- [NTSB WPR17FA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17FA023.md): Cessna 172N · Moss Beach, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 18, 2016 · N6610D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's loss of airplane control following an encounter with low level wind shear and turbulence during final approach for landing. Contributing to the loss of control was the pilot's decision to retract the wing flaps on final approach, which resulted in…
- [NTSB GAA16CA511](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA511.md): Cessna 172 · Auburn, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 18, 2016 · N7560D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.
- [NTSB GAA16CA371](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA371.md): Cessna 172 · San Diego, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 8, 2016 · N9488G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain situational awareness while taxiing, which resulted in an impact with a stationary fuel truck.
- [NTSB WPR16FAMS1](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FAMS1.md): Cessna 172N · Avalon, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Missing aircraft · Final report · May 28, 2016 · N739ZE · Destroyed
  > Undetermined because the airplane was not located.
- [NTSB GAA16CA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA202.md): Cessna 172 · Camarillo, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 20, 2016 · N6616D · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's incorrect pitch control input, resulting in a porpoise during landing and substantial damage to the airplane's firewall.
- [NTSB WPR14CA399](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA399.md): Cessna 172N · Thermal, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 30, 2014 · N738TJ · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing after an encounter with a dust devil.
- [NTSB WPR14LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA099.md): Piper PA 24-250 · San Jose, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 18, 2014 · N6570P · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to sump the fuel tanks, which resulted in water contamination, a partial loss of engine power during takeoff, and collision with a taxiing airplane during the subsequent forced landing.
- [NTSB WPR14LA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA080.md): Cessna 172N · Pacoima, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 29, 2013 · N4936D · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s inadequate compensation for the gusting crosswind conditions during landing, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.
- [NTSB WPR13LA402](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA402.md): Cessna 172N · Long Beach, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 9, 2013 · N42EP · Substantial damage
  > The total loss of engine power during initial climb due to debris within the carburetor mixture metering sleeve.
- [NTSB WPR12LA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA093.md): Cessna 172N · Fresno, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 6, 2012 · N7582D · Substantial damage
  > The non-certificated pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to performance-impairing drugs.
- [NTSB WPR10LA307](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA307.md): Cessna 172N · Angels Camp, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 21, 2010 · N733AS · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering.
- [NTSB WPR10CA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA007.md): Cessna 172N · San Diego, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 7, 2009 · N2219E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s improper flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
- [NTSB WPR09FA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09FA248.md): Cessna 172N · Long Beach, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 19, 2009 · N738NN · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The failure of both pilots to see and avoid each other's aircraft.
- [NTSB WPR09LA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA245.md): Cessna 172N · Desert Center, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 16, 2009 · N738LF · Substantial damage
  > A partial loss of engine power due to low compression from an obstructed intake valve. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to shut down the engine while in flight.
- [NTSB WPR09LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA149.md): Cessna 172N · Oceanside, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 6, 2009 · N726RJ · Destroyed
  > A loss of aircraft control for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB WPR09LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA122.md): Cessna 172N · Big Bear Lake, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 20, 2009 · N6443E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering in a ravine. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to continue flight in an area that exceeded the climb rate capabilities of the airplane.
- [NTSB SEA08LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08LA191.md): Cessna 172N · Burbank, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 30, 2008 · N172ST · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper preflight and in-flight planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's loss of situational awareness while conducting the normal and emergency checklists during his turn from base to final…
- [NTSB LAX08LA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA206.md): Cessna 172N · El Cajon, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 26, 2008 · N6360D · Substantial damage
  > The loss of engine power due to carburetor ice resulting from the flight instructor's failure to use the carburetor heat when simulating an engine failure. Contributing to the accident were the carburetor icing weather condition and the lack of suitable…
- [NTSB LAX08CA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA149.md): Cessna 172N · Palo Alto, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 20, 2008 · N6521J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
- [NTSB LAX08FA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08FA049.md): Cessna 172N · Corona, CA · Accident · 5 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 20, 2008 · N737EJ · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > The failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other airplane.
- [NTSB SEA08CA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA030.md): Cessna 172N · Atwater, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 17, 2007 · N3318E · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Factors contributing to the accident included the sign and the ditch.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?model=2072434&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 ('2072434'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?model=2072434&state=CA

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