# NTSB CEN26LA138: Cessna 172M, N61761, Solon Springs, WI, March 9, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 9, 2026, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Solon Springs, WI - Coordinates: 46.31, -91.82 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3100&lon=-91.8200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 202629 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA138 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202629/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202629 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA138 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 123 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 59 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while landing on the runway, the airplane bounced and then settled on the runway. The pilot felt that she did not have adequate runway remaining to safely conduct a go-around and attempted to stop on the remaining runway. The airplane veered to the right and departed the runway surface. The nosewheel struck a pile of snow, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted resulting in substantial damage to both wings and the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that the airplane had no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if a go-around were initiated earlier on the approach. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N61761](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N61761), registered now, S/N 17264782, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17264782 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 7507 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Hawk Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 17, 2026 - Departed: ROS, Rush City, MN - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: OLG, Solon Springs Muni, runway 01/19, 3,100 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 19, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 127.1 total, 73.2 in this make and model, 40.7 as pilot in command, 24.1 in the last 90 days, 21.9 in the last 30 days, 3.2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 8 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.69 inHg - Observed at: KHYR, 23 nm away - METAR: METAR KHYR 091753Z AUTO 30008G16KT 270V340 10SM CLR 08/M02 A2969 RMK AO2 SLP060 T00831017 10094 20050 51034 $ ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20260309001319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260309001319A), Mar 9, 2026: Cessna 172M, Solon Springs, WI, Substantial damage. Pilot approached the airport using a side slip to land. The aircraft bounced and the pilot could not regain control. Deciding there was insufficient distance… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 30, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202629. 4.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20087843&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1_Form-2%20Completed_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 788 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20084057&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN26LA138%20Investigation%20Photographs-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- 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.