# NTSB ERA26LA062: Cessna 172, N6542H, Pensacola, FL, December 7, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 7, 2025, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Pensacola, FL - Coordinates: 30.477163, -87.177968 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4772&lon=-87.1780&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 4 minor - Status: Completed, report May 21, 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): 202124 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202124/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202124 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA062 ## Probable cause The pilot’s exceedance of the critical angle of attack during initial climb which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## 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) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft servicing event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was departing on a night instrument flight rules (IFR) cross country flight, back to the airport where the airplane was based. He rotated at 55 knots and when he “started to pull back at 100 ft felt an aggressive yaw to the left.” He applied right rudder, but was unable to correct for the yaw, and the airplane impacted trees to the left of the runway resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and both wings. The pilot stated that before departure he requested the fixed base operator (FBO) add fuel to bring the total onboard to 32 gallons; however, a review of fuel records showed the airplane was fueled with 27.7 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel which filled the wing fuel tanks completely. The airplane had a total fuel capacity of 42 gallons with 38 gallons usable. With the wing fuel tanks full, the pilot, and 3 passengers, the airplane would be overweight, so the pilot decided to drain some fuel. He reported draining 4 gallons of fuel which would bring the total usable fuel to 34 gallons. He then called clearance delivery to obtain his IFR clearance and advised them he would need 30 minutes on the ground to burn more fuel. He subsequently shut the airplane down and measured the amount of fuel using a dipstick, which showed 32 gallons. He then completed another external preflight using the airplane checklist, restarted the airplane, and requested taxi instructions. A review of air traffic control communications showed that 17 minutes had elapsed from the time the pilot called for his IFR clearance to when he requested taxi instructions. The pilot provided a copy of the airplane weight and balance which showed the total amount of fuel onboard of 30 gallons. Based on the received weight and balance information and the unclear amount of fuel onboard, it is likely that the airplane was at or above its maximum takeoff weight. A postaccident examination of the airframe revealed no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The aggressive left yaw the pilot experienced was likely a result of the airplane entering an aerodynamic stall. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6542H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6542H), registered now, S/N 17265482, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (M) - 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: 17265482 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 12355.5 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Owens Flight Training LLC - Registered owner: Owens Flight Training LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 22, 2025, 26.5 hours before - Destination: LFT, Lafayette, LA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: PNS, Pensacola Intl, runway 08, 7,000 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 23, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 202 total, 190 in this make and model, 115 as pilot in command, 58 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night - Wind: 10° at 5 knots - Visibility: 0.25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: PNS, 0.5 nm away - METAR: SPECI KPNS 072302Z 01005KT 1/4SM BR OVC002 13/13 A2994 ## 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 20251207017839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20251207017839A), Dec 7, 2025: Cessna 172M, Pensacola, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot operated a C-172 on an IFR flight from lft to pns, to accumulate flight hours necessary to meet the cross country requirements for a commercial pilot… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 21, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202124. 12.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19985402&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%20signed%20ppw_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Fuel record (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19986598&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=PAC%20Fuel%20Slip%2012-07-25%20N6542H-Rel.pdf - Pilot logbook excerpts (item 3, PDF, 5 pages, 5.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19992762&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA26LA062%20Pilot%20Logbook%20Excerpt_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Weight and balance (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19986677&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=W%26B%20Load%20Summary%20Accident%20Flight_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA accident package excerpt (item 5, PDF, 4 pages, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19986349&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Accident%20Package%20Excerpt%20ERA26LA062-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 6, PDF, 3 pages, 550 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19993171&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20ERA26LA062-Rel.pdf - Wreckage examination summary (item 7, PDF, 12 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19993181&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA26LA062%20Wreckage%20Examination-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.