# NTSB investigations: Cessna 172N, WA

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 · 62 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB WPR25LA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA162.md): Cessna 172N · Monroe, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 26, 2025 · N6132G · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during landing, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in impact with a ditch.
- [NTSB WPR24LA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA022.md): Cessna 172N · Bandera, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 18, 2023 · N734LJ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to land at a closed water-soaked grass runway, which resulted in a runway excursion.
- [NTSB WPR22LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA013.md): Cessna 172N · Laurier, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 17, 2021 · N832DC · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action to prevent the airplane from landing long which, resulted in a runway overrun and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR20CA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA125.md): Cessna 172 · Yakima, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 20, 2020 · N75765 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to attain sufficient altitude during a go-around, which resulted in impact with hilly terrain.
- [NTSB GAA18CA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA248.md): Cessna 172 · Port Angeles, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 2, 2018 · N734QQ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a turn away from terrain, which resulted in an accelerated stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to delay the turn to avoid terrain.
- [NTSB GAA18CA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA078.md): Cessna 172 · Everett, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 8, 2017 · N4801D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s decision to abort the takeoff following a touch-and-go landing with too little runway remaining, which resulted in a runway overrun.
- [NTSB GAA16CA417](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA417.md): Cessna 172 · Everett, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 4, 2016 · N4801D · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the building door, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing.
- [NTSB GAA16CA305](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA305.md): Cessna 172 · Pasco, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 10, 2016 · N733EC · Substantial damage
  > The flight instructor's failure to maintain pitch control during the simulated engine failure after takeoff, which resulted in a hard landing, landing gear(s) collapse, and wing damage.
- [NTSB WPR13LA299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA299.md): Cessna 172 - N · Trout Lake, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 28, 2013 · N75542 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during takeoff from a soft field and to abort the landing when the airplane reached the runway’s midpoint at a low airspeed.
- [NTSB WPR11CA294](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA294.md): Cessna 172N · Olympia, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 26, 2011 · N5366J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles.
- [NTSB WPR11CA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA191.md): Cessna 172N · Snohomish, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 6, 2011 · N492SF · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a hangar while taxiing.
- [NTSB WPR09CA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA182.md): Cessna 172S · Snohomish, WA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 4, 2009 · N4915F · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight collision with a crow.
- [NTSB LAX08FA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08FA246.md): Cessna 172N · McMurray, WA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 27, 2008 · N75558 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological weather conditions. Contributing to the accident were low ceilings, reduced visibility, and mountainous terrain.
- [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 SEA06LA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06LA049.md): Cessna 172N · Snohomish, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 31, 2006 · N492SF · Substantial damage
  > Carburetor heat was not used during the initial climb in probable serious carburetor icing conditions during cruise power. Carburetor icing conditions and wet terrain were factors.
- [NTSB SEA04LA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA048.md): Cessna 172N · Gig Harbor, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 3, 2004 · N75844 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to follow the published IFR procedure resulting in failure to maintain clearance from objects during an instrument approach. Trees and an inoperative glide slope receiver were factors.
- [NTSB SEA03LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA084.md): Cessna 172 N · Center Island, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 19, 2003 · N5326J · Substantial damage
  > The pilot did not attain the proper touchdown point during landing. The pilot's diverted attention, deer near the runway, and trees were factors.
- [NTSB SEA02LA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA017.md): Cessna 172N · Snohomish, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 24, 2001 · N733XW · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot misjudged the distance from a fence during taxi. The flight instructors inadequate supervision and the fence were factors.
- [NTSB SEA02FA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02FA002.md): Cessna 172N · Decatur Island, WA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 3, 2001 · N733SW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a low altitude turn, resulting in a stall. The pilot exceeding the aircraft's maximum gross takeoff weight was a factor.
- [NTSB SEA01LA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA169.md): Cessna 172N · Pasco, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 8, 2001 · N426SK · Substantial damage
  > The DHC-8 maintenance crew's failure to maintain radio contact with the tower during its engine run. Factors included the tower controller not issuing a safety advisory on the DHC-8 engine run to the accident pilot as recommended by FAA guidance, and the…
- [NTSB SEA01LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA076.md): Cessna 172 N · Sultan, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 21, 2001 · N8402E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees and terrain during the airplane's initial climb.
- [NTSB SEA01LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA013.md): Cessna 172N · Spangle, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 3, 2000 · N734UW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequately executed remedial action and his failure to ensure that the aircraft touched down at the proper location. Factors include a dark night, an unlighted runway, and trees off the approach end of the runway.
- [NTSB SEA00LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA054.md): Cessna 172N · Quincy, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 22, 2000 · N229CP · Substantial damage
  > Failure to maintain terrain clearance. Factors include mountainous/hilly terrain.
- [NTSB SEA99LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA077.md): Cessna 172N · Covington, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 27, 1999 · N5120D · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, and his subsequent improper execution of the go-around procedure, resulting in collision with trees off the departure end of the runway. Factors included the student pilot's lack of total…
- [NTSB SEA99LA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA049.md): Cessna 172N · Puyallup, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 13, 1999 · N75778 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall.
- [NTSB SEA98FA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98FA088.md): Cessna 172N · Prindle, WA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 4, 1998 · N6234D · Destroyed
  > The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during attempted flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors contributing to the accident were clouds, dark night conditions, spatial disorientation, and drug impairment.
- [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 SEA97LA095](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA095.md): Cessna 172N · Pullman, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 27, 1997 · N73934 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fuel truck parked near his taxi route. Factors include a dark night and a vehicle parked near the pilot's route of taxi.
- [NTSB SEA97LA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA080.md): Cessna 172 · Auburn, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 30, 1997 · N5115K · Substantial damage
  > the pilots' inadequate evaluation of the strong winds, when they attempted to turn to taxi with a very strong tailwind. Factors relating to the accident included the high and unfavorable winds.
- [NTSB SEA96LA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA183.md): Cessna 172N · Enumclaw, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 9, 1996 · N738PM · Substantial damage
  > failure of the engine magneto drive, which resulted in a loss of engine power. The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a related factor.
- [NTSB SEA95FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95FA037.md): Cessna 172N · Blyn, WA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 14, 1995 · N1535E · Destroyed
  > The pilot's VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors in the accident were the weather conditions and the dark night.
- [NTSB SEA94LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA013.md): Cessna 172N · Renton, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 9, 1993 · N7367E · Substantial damage
  > The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. The crosswind was a factor.
- [NTSB SEA93FA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93FA214.md): Cessna 172N · Ellensburg, WA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 1, 1993 · N172LS · Destroyed
  > The pilot's failure to maintain an airspeed above stalling speed (vs), and his inadequate remedial action. Factors include the pilot's diverted attention, and an inadvertent stall/spin.
- [NTSB SEA93LA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA167.md): Cessna 172N · Monroe, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 29, 1993 · N734DL · Substantial damage
  > The improper inflight decision by the PIC and his failure to attain proper runway alignment. Factors relating to the accident were the dark night light conditions, unavailability of runway lights, and lack of recent night flight time by the PIC.
- [NTSB SEA92LA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA193.md): Cessna 172N · Snohomish, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 31, 1992 · N737TK · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > Inadequate visual lookout by the other pilot.
- [NTSB SEA91LA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA152.md): Cessna 172N · Waldron, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 3, 1991 · N737BZ · Substantial damage
  > Visual lookout was not maintained, and diverted attention.
- [NTSB SEA91LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA084.md): Cessna C-172N · Ellensburg, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 13, 1991 · N75646 · Substantial damage
  > The improper maintenance inspection of the airccraft. A factor relating to the accident was a ditch in the ladning area.
- [NTSB SEA90LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA199.md): Cessna 172N · Neilton, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 29, 1990 · N738AQ · Destroyed
  > The failure of the crew to maintain adequate clearance from the terrain. Factors to the accident were mountainous and box canyon terrain.
- [NTSB SEA90FA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA027.md): Cessna 172N · Nordland, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 1989 · N2228E · Destroyed
  > Undetermined.
- [NTSB SEA88LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA096.md): Cessna 172N · Anacortes, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 15, 1988 · N4723J · Substantial damage
  > After overflying the intended seaplane base landing area. The pilot, who had logged only 1 hour of fixed wing time in the previous 90 days, misjudged the necessary downwind leg length and landed with insufficient surface distance available to stop the…
- [NTSB SEA86LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA069.md): Cessna 172 · Concrete, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 2, 1986 · N734LQ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot was flying only 50 feet AGL when the aircraft struck power lines. A successful landing was then accomplished at an airport.
- [NTSB SEA86LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA057.md): Cessna 172 · Renton, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 12, 1986 · N739UW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot failed to maintain directional control during takeoff. Although a crosswind from the left was present the pilot lost control for unknown reasons to the left, crossing the taxiway and then striking a parked vehicle and building. No mechanical reason…
- [NTSB SEA86FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86FA054.md): Cessna 172N · Renton, WA · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 9, 1986 · N738XX · Destroyed
  > The recently certificated private pilot was engaged in practice touch and go landings. Sometime after the second approach the throttle control rod became disconnected from the throttle cable and the pilot was unable to retard the throttle from a full power…
- [NTSB SEA85LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA005.md): Cessna 172N · Ashford, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 7, 1984 · N739UW · Substantial damage
  > The acft ground looped during a landing in a gusty x-wind. After directional control was lost the acft veered off the rwy striking trees. No accident report form was filed by the plt.
- [NTSB SEA84LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA149.md): Cessna 172 · Everett, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 27, 1984 · N733UH · Substantial damage
  > The plt reported that during a landing, the acft encountered a gust of wind & ballooned. The airspeed decreased to 40 KTS & the acft dropped to the rwy. The plt applied full power & reduced the flaps from 40 deg to full up. The acft became airborne, but…
- [NTSB SEA83FA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83FA094.md): Cessna C-172N · Friday Harbor, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 1, 1983 · N3413E · Destroyed
  > The acft crashed during an attempted go-around. The acft flap switch was in the down mode and the flaps were in the fulldown(40 degree) position. A passenger said the acft was 'real close to the right side of the runway' just before go- around N3413E impacted…
- [NTSB SEA83LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA066.md): Cessna 172N · Telma, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 20, 1983 · N738QA · Substantial damage
  > The aircraft collided with deep unplowed snow on the runway during takeoff and nosed over. The pilot stated that he had landed on frozen snow but when he returned to takeoff the snow was soft. He had a 1200 ft long portion of the runway cleared but it was…
- [NTSB SEA82DA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82DA156.md): Cessna 172N · Cle Elum, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Final report · Sep 5, 1982 · N1295F · Substantial damage
  > The pilot elected to get additional cross-country and mountain flying time, so she elected to fly to Cle Elum, WA. Upon arrival, she flew over and observed the wind sock to be limp. While on approach to runway 25, she decided she was too low and executed a…
- [NTSB SEA82DA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82DA131.md): Cessna 172N · Roche Harbor, WA · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Jul 29, 1982 · N9528G · Substantial damage
  > The pilot flew to a private airstrip that was open to grazing animals. During arrival, he made a low pass to check that the runway was clear of animals and other obstructions. He then circled to land. During final approach, he noticed sheep coming onto the…
- [NTSB SEA82AA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA82AA126.md): Cessna 172 · Mercer Island, WA · Accident · 6 fatal · Final report · Jul 23, 1982 · N2428E · 2 aircraft · Destroyed
  > N2428E, a C-172, had departed sea-tac arpt for a VFR flt to snohomish, WA, about 27 mi on the 355 deg radial from the sea-tac VORTAC. It proceeded nnw over the west shore of Mercer Island located approximately 10 mi north of the sea-tac arpt. N761EL, a…

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?model=2072434&state=WA&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" = 'WA' 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=WA

---
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.