# NTSB investigations: Cessna 172P: In flight collision with terrain/water 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 CHI05CA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA150.md): Cessna 172P · St. Francis, KS · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 19, 2005 · N53462 · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to compensate for the crosswind conditions during landing and the unsuccessful go-around. A factor was the crosswind. - [NTSB LAX04CA282](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA282.md): Cessna 172P · Big Bear City, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jul 27, 2004 · N65615 · Substantial damage > the instructor's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and delayed decision to perform a go-around. Contributing factors were wind gusts, windshear, and an excessive descent rate. - [NTSB DEN04TA088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04TA088.md): Cessna C172P · Las Cruces, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Final report · Jun 10, 2004 · N9474L · Substantial damage > the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain and the improper go-around procedure. Contributing factors include the pilot's diverted attention, improper in-flight planning and decision making, pilot fatigue, the night conditions and the mesquite… - [NTSB LAX04LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA053.md): Cessna 172P · Fountain Hills, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 24, 2003 · N97056 · Substantial damage > The flight instructor's delayed remedial action and inadequate altitude during a go-around following a simulated forced landing, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. - [NTSB LAX03FA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03FA090.md): Cessna 172P · Santa Susana, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 18, 2003 · N65005 · Destroyed > The flight instructor's inadequate in-flight decision to cross mountainous terrain at a inadequate altitude to guarantee terrain clearance. - [NTSB DEN00LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA121.md): Cessna 172P · Price, UT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 3, 2000 · N51208 · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing roll. Factors were strong and gusty winds. - [NTSB CHI00LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA032.md): Cessna 172P · Greenfield, IN · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 23, 1999 · N65668 · Substantial damage > The student pilot not maintaining aircraft control. A contributing factor was the student's aural perception. - [NTSB DEN99FA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99FA142.md): Cessna 172P · Grants, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 3, 1999 · N6497K · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to fly the aircraft at an altitude sufficient to clear surrounding terrain. Factors were: The pilot's in-flight planning and decision making in proceeding into known adverse weather. Low ceiling, rain, lack of total pilot experience, and… - [NTSB LAX95LA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA133.md): Cessna 172P · Redlands, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 21, 1995 · N51920 · Substantial damage > the pilot's use of an excessive approach speed and glidepath angle and his improper bounced landing recovery technique. - [NTSB FTW95FA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95FA050.md): Cessna 172P · Deming, NM · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 18, 1994 · N54378 · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude and clearance in moutainous terrain. Factors were rising terrain and gusty, high wind conditions. - [NTSB SEA94FA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94FA014.md): Cessna 172P · Kelso, WA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 14, 1993 · N115FR · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to follow the published missed approach procedure. Factors in the accident were: the weather and mountainous terrain. - [NTSB DEN93LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA105.md): Cessna 172P · Santa Fe, NM · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 28, 1993 · N65655 · Substantial damage > Improper planning and decision making by the pilot in command in descending into a valley at an altitude providing no escape route in mountainous terrain. - [NTSB SEA93FA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93FA125.md): Cessna 172P · Enumclaw, WA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 29, 1993 · N53408 · Destroyed > Inadvertent VFR flight into IMC. Factors to the accident were: fog and rain. - [NTSB LAX93FA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93FA096.md): Cessna 172P · Sun City, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 20, 1993 · N53908 · Destroyed > The pilot's decision to initiate VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors which contributed to the accident were: the pilot's failure to obtain a weather briefing, the adverse weather, and the mountainous terrain. - [NTSB LAX92FA241](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA241.md): Cessna 172P · Big Sur, CA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 9, 1992 · N5449K · Destroyed > Pilot incapacition. - [NTSB LAX92LA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA039.md): Cessna 172P · Williams, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 4, 1991 · N5337K · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain visual lookout. - [NTSB ANC91FA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91FA132.md): Cessna 172 · Eklutna Lake, AK · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 23, 1991 · N98785 · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing to the accident was the high terrain. - [NTSB NYC91FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA001.md): Cessna 172P · Gorham, NH · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 2, 1990 · N98438 · Destroyed > Improper planning/decision by the pilot, and his failure to maintain proper altitude while flying over mountainous terrain. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, mountainous terrain, and pilot fatigue. - [NTSB NYC90LA069](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA069.md): Cessna 172P · Sunapee Lake, NH · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 9, 1990 · N65057 · Substantial damage > Failure of the pilot to maintain adequate altitude above the lake, which resulted in unplanned contact with its frozen surface. - [NTSB NYC90LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA001.md): Cessna 172P · Bingham, ME · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 1, 1989 · N89219 · Destroyed > The pilot's inadequate preflight planning to assure that the airplane was capable of outclimbing the surrounding terrain under the existing wind and airplane weight conditions, resulting in an intentional stall into the terrain. Contributing factor(s) was:… - [NTSB MKC89LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA127.md): Cessna 172 · Pine Bluff, AR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 7, 1989 · N63535 · Substantial damage > Improper in-flight planning/decision by the pilot by continuing the approach when the runway lights did not activate. Contributing factors were: dark night and soft terrain. - [NTSB NYC88LA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA247.md): Cessna 172P · New York, NY · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 30, 1988 · N98305 · Destroyed > While on a night personal pleasure flt along the hudson river between New York and new jersey, at 300 feet AGL, the plt turned the acft toward an unlighted shore area and lost visual cues. The plt inadvertently flew the acft into the water. The acft sunk and… - [NTSB ANC88LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA073.md): Cessna 172 · Kenai, AK · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 28, 1988 · N65928 · Substantial damage > The pilot stated that he was in a 180 degree turn when he encountered IMC conditions. The flight path had placed the pilot in a valley with cloud shrouded hills to the sides. The aircraft struck the side of a hill at 1780 MSL. - [NTSB SEA88LA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA114.md): Cessna 172P · Orofino, ID · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 18, 1988 · N62961 · Destroyed > Plt stated that due to encircling tstms, elected a precautionary landing at 1800-foot usfs (forrest service) emrrgency strip. Touchdown was long and go-around resulted in a stall/mush into the trees. - [NTSB NYC87LA261](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA261.md): Cessna 172P · Fitchburg, MA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 20, 1987 · N99151 · Destroyed > Drg arrival, the plt was clrd for an ndb-a apch to Fitchburg muni arpt. The NDB was located on the arpt & the arpt elev was 350'. The min dscnt alt (mda) was 1140' MSL. The apch procedure was to go outbnd fm the NDB on a 137 deg bearing, make a procedure… - [NTSB LAX87LA353](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA353.md): Cessna 172P · Independence, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 8, 1987 · N55186 · Destroyed > The acft was rprtd missing after it departed san jose, CA, at about 1852 PDT on 6/9/87. A search was initiated, but the plane was not found until the wreckage was discovered by a hiker on 6/30/90. The acdnt occurred near kearsarge pass at an elev of 12,000… - [NTSB DEN85FA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA118.md): Cessna 172 P · Santa Fe, NM · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 19, 1985 · N52457 · Destroyed > Two persons, neither rated as plts, took the acft without the knowledge or consent of the operator or arpt officials. They took off at night, & after a short time, returned to the arpt to land. During an attempted landing, the acft touched down hard, bounced… - [NTSB FTW85LA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA120.md): Cessna 172P · Comanche, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 19, 1985 · N54149 · Destroyed > The non-instrument rated plt flew the acft into rising terrain in a wings level attitude during a period of low ceilingson a dark night. The plt stated he was descending to stay clear of the overcast and never saw the ground. Plt had a total of 80 hrs flt… - [NTSB LAX83FA377](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA377.md): Cessna 172 · San Simeon, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 1983 · N64196 · Destroyed > The acft collided with the terrain while on a pleasure flight for the purpose of sightseeing. The wreckage was found in a box canyon at 3500 ft MSL. Examination of the accident site revealed that the acft impacted on a heading of approx 085 degrees. The… - [NTSB SEA83FA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83FA087.md): Cessna 172P · 2nm E. Of Blyn, WA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Apr 21, 1983 · N52363 · Destroyed > The plts had received a wx briefing from seattle fss earlier in the day for a flt from seattle to port angeles. Due to the time span between arrival & departure at port angeles, the wx briefing was not valid for the return flt. The acft impacted the west… - [NTSB DEN83FTI02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83FTI02.md): Cessna 172P · Dillon, MI · Accident · 2 fatal · Final report · Oct 23, 1982 · N4AM · Destroyed > The pilot and three passengers departed Dillon, mt at about 0740 MDT to scout for elk in preparation for hunting the next day. According to a passenger, they flew directly to a mountain area about 30 miles away where they spotted some elk. He said that while… - [NTSB NYC83LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA006.md): Cessna 172P · Mt. Pleasant, PA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 9, 1982 · N63715 · Substantial damage > Reportedly, the pilot made his landing approach too high and too fast. After rolling an undetermined distance, he elected to go-around. According to the passenger, the pilot had started a climb when he banked the aircraft and retracted the flaps. Reportedly,… - [NTSB ATL83FKW01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FKW01.md): Cessna 172P · Gallatin, TN · Accident · 2 fatal · Final report · Oct 9, 1982 · N5313K · Destroyed > Cessna 172P, N5313K crashed into a densely wooded area during the initial portion of cross-country flight. The pilot and his wife were killed but an infant son survived. Weather was not a factor. - [NTSB ATL82FA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA164.md): Cessna 172P · Asheville, NC · Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 15, 1982 · N6545K · Destroyed > The flt reportedly involved mountain flying techniques. The student observed that the acft was not climbing normally & the CFI suggested they slow to 70K. The student started a turn toward a wide valley but the CFI urged him to continue toward the mtns which… ## 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 ('2072436') 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" = 230)) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?model=2072436&occurrence=230 --- 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.