# NTSB WPR25FA182: Cessna 172, N79306, Billings, MT, June 19, 2025

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Field · Preliminary report
- Date: June 19, 2025, 14:12 local (20:12 UTC)
- Place: Billings, MT
- Coordinates: 45.635317, -108.52738 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6353&lon=-108.5274&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA Helena FSDO, Textron Aviation, Lycoming Engines
- NTSB case key (mKey): 200353
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR25FA182
- NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200353/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25FA182

## Preliminary report

On June 19, 2025, at 1412 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172K airplane, N79306, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Billings, Montana. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. Preliminary ADS-B data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration showed that the airplane departed Ostlunds Airport, Billings, Montana at 1407 in a climbing left turn to the southeast. At 1411 the airplane overflew a private ranch and the flight track subsequently ended at 1412 about 230 ft southeast of the accident site. The airplane came to rest underneath a set of damaged power distribution lines on the floor of a coulee. The debris field was contained within about a 75 ft by 75 ft area. The first identified point of contact (FIPC) was a ground scar consistent with the leading edge of the left wing. Red colored glass fragments consistent with the left wingtip navigation light were noted at the outboard end of the ground scar. The main wreckage was upright, about 18 ft from the FIPC, and was oriented on an approximate heading of 200° magnetic, at an elevation of 3,770 ft mean sea level. Evidence of a postcrash fire was observed throughout the wreckage. All major components of the airframe, all primary flight controls, and the engine and propeller assembly were observed throughout the debris field. Flight control continuity was established on scene. The elevator trim was found to be in the neutral position, and flaps were observed in the fully retracted position. Both fuel tanks sustained hydraulic deformation consistent with the tanks containing a quantity of fuel at the time of impact. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The wreckage was transported to a secure location for further examination. Figure 1 ADS-B Track Figure 2 Aerial view of Accident Site (Courtesy of Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172K, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072430), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N79306](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N79306), registered now, S/N 17258032, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (K)
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17258032
- Year built: 1969
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: La Partnership
- Registered owner: La Partnership
- Departed: MT13, Billings, MT

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 12 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observed at: KBIL, 10 nm away
- METAR: KBIL 191953Z 03012G18KT 10SM FEW070 FEW150 30/07 A2982 RMK AO2 SLP058 CB SHRA DSNT SW T03000067

## 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 20250619006859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250619006859A), Jun 19, 2025: Cessna 172K, Billings, MT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On June 19, 2025 a privately operated Cessna 172, with one pilot on board, was flying near blue creek road south of Billings, Montana. It was reported that the…

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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