# NTSB ERA26LA054: Cessna 172, N7805G, Zanesville, OH, November 24, 2025

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: November 24, 2025, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Zanesville, OH
- Coordinates: 40.007259, -82.013877 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0073&lon=-82.0139&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern base: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 14, 2026
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202058
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202058/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202058
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA054

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during an approach to land.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Approach-VFR pattern base: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while turning from the base leg to final approach, the airplane experienced a sudden loss of altitude and struck a powerline with the main landing gear. The airplane slowed until the wire broke. The pilot then pitched the nose of the airplane down and applied full power, regained control and landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right aileron. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7805G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7805G), registered now, S/N 17259505, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (L)
- Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17259505
- Year built: 1970
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2025
- Departed: Waterford, OH
- Destination: 42I, Zanesville, OH
- Airport: 42I, Parr, runway 28, 3,100 × 26 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 23, 2024; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,153 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 1,153 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.27 inHg
- Observed at: ZZV, 7 nm away
- METAR: METAR KZZV 241453Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 03/01 A3027 RMK AO2 SLP256 I3000 T00280006 53002=

## 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 20251124020209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20251124020209A), Nov 24, 2025: Cessna 172L, Zanesville, OH, Substantial damage. Pilot on approach to 42I Parr, aircraft became too low on final approach and struck powerlines. Power lines severed after contact and pilot was able to land…

## Other investigations on N7805G (2)

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.

- [NTSB CHI06CA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA182), Jul 8, 2006: Cessna 172L (N7805G), Waterford, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. The runway's downhill slope, the wet grass, the fence, and the embankment were factors.
- [NTSB CHI73FEI15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI73FEI15), Oct 8, 1972: Cessna 172 (N7805G), Medina, OH, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 14, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202058. 2.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19694958&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photographs (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19711547&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20-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.

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