# NTSB CEN26LA322: Cessna 172M, N9909Q, Hanover, IN, September 16, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report
- Date: September 16, 2026, 19:05 local (23:05 UTC)
- Place: Hanover, IN
- Coordinates: 38.623602, -85.441553
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6236&lon=-85.4416&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 203838
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA322
- NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203838/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA322

## Preliminary report

On September 16, 2026, about 1905 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172M airplane, N9909Q, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Hanover, Indiana. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to fly with a friend to and from Lee Bottom Airport. The pilot stated that she was familiar with the airport's grass runway and previously operated there during flight training. After landing at Lee Bottom, the pilot taxied back for departure from runway 18. During the initial takeoff the pilot noted that the airplane was not performing as expected and discontinued the takeoff. The pilot taxied back and initiated a second takeoff attempt using 10° flaps. The pilot reported that, during the second takeoff, the airplane became airborne and remained in ground effect to gain airspeed, and then the pilot established a climb. As the airplane approached trees beyond the departure end of the runway, the pilot reported that the trees appeared to be getting closer and attempted to clear them. The pilot then observed a decrease in airspeed and lowered the nose. The airplane subsequently contacted the tops of trees, continued through the trees, impacted a residence, and then impacted terrain. The airplane came to rest inverted. There were no injuries reported on ground. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane after the accident with minor injuries. The fuselage and wings sustained substantial damage and the airplane was retained for further examination.

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9909Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9909Q), registered now, S/N 17265853, 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: 17265853
- Year built: 1976
- Airframe hours: 8590.4
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ck Aviation LLC
- Registered owner: Ck Aviation LLC
- Last inspection: Annual, September 19, 2025
- Departed: 64I, Hanover, IN
- Destination: KJVY, Jeffersonville, IN
- Airport: 64I, Lee Bottom Airport, runway 18, 4,080 × 100 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observed at: KIMS, 7 nm away
- METAR: METAR KIMS 170015Z AUTO 22003KT 10SM FEW110 26/25 A3026 RMK AO2 T02610252=


## 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 20260916013279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260916013279A), Sep 16, 2026: Cessna 172M, Hanover, IN, Substantial damage. On the evening of 9-16-2026, the pilot and a girlfriend took off from kjvy enroute to 64I in a C172. They made an approach and landing, then taxxied back for…

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.

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