Fatal NTSB investigations: Cessna 172
186 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Cessna 172. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.
Cases per year
| 1964 | 11 |
|---|---|
| 1965 | 8 |
| 1966 | 12 |
| 1967 | 10 |
| 1968 | 11 |
| 1969 | 3 |
| 1970 | 6 |
| 1971 | 4 |
| 1972 | 5 |
| 1973 | 5 |
| 1974 | 9 |
| 1975 | 2 |
| 1976 | 6 |
| 1977 | 6 |
| 1978 | 6 |
| 1979 | 4 |
| 1980 | 7 |
| 1981 | 6 |
| 1982 | 2 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1984 | 2 |
| 1985 | 3 |
| 1986 | 2 |
| 1987 | 2 |
| 1988 | 2 |
| 1989 | 5 |
| 1991 | 4 |
| 1992 | 1 |
| 1994 | 3 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 1998 | 3 |
| 1999 | 3 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
Where
Open the mapLatest cases
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c.\"highestInjuryLevel\" = 'Fatal'
AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('2072402'))
ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal'
AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('2072402'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESCRun it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB CEN23FA095Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Hooker, OKThe pilot’s decision to depart and continue the visual flight rules flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.NTSB ERA22LA375Accident · 1 fatalClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)The pilot's suicide.NTSB ERA22FA218Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Altha, FLThe pilot’s failure to perform a preflight weight and balance calculation and his operation of the flight at an excessive takeoff weight, resulting in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack after liftoff and an aerodynamic stall from which…NTSB CEN20FA010Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Aberdeen, SDThe noncertificated pilot’s decision to fly in dark night instrument conditions, resulting in impact with terrain.NTSB WPR19FA244Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · McKenzie Bridge, ORThe pilot's delayed climb and misjudgment of the airplane’s performance and the runway distance needed to clear obstacles at the end of the runway, which resulted in a collision with trees and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was…NTSB CEN19FA099Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Lakeway, TXA partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined, and the flight instructor's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering for a forced landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of…NTSB ANC19FA038Accident · 1 fatalClass 2 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Skwentna, AKThe pilot’s decision to depart into marginal visual flight rule conditions in mountainous terrain with the potential for icing, and the airplane’s accumulation of structural icing, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain airplane control and the…NTSB CEN17FA085Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Jay, OKThe pilot's negligent maintenance of the airplane, which resulted in improper fuel management, fuel starvation, and a loss of engine power during takeoff due to a missing securing pin in the fuel selector handle, and a subsequent forced landing on unsuitable…NTSB ANC17FA003Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Palmer, AKThe student pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a steep climbing turn following a touch-and-go landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at too low of an altitude to recover.NTSB CEN15FA378Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Martinville, ILThe non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain.NTSB CEN15FA278Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Shreveport, LAThe pilot's loss of airplane control during initial climb after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because an examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact anomalies.NTSB WPR15FA070Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Sutter Creek, CAThe noninstrument-rated pilot's encounter with instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) while maneuvering, which resulted in a loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to attempt to…NTSB ERA13FA388Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Limington, MEAn impairing medical event of undetermined origin that led to a loss of control during takeoff.NTSB WPR12FA274Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Veneta, ORThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and altitude to clear trees during the initial climb after takeoff.NTSB ERA09LA527Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Lowndesville, SCThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning and improper decision to continue flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation after entering instrument flight conditions.NTSB CEN09LA409Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Latimer, IAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power line while flying at a low altitude.NTSB WPR09LA056Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Lompoc, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power line. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent experience.NTSB SEA08FA116Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · McCall, IDThe failure of the pilot to maintain adequate visual lookout and clearance from another airplane while attempting to land on the same runway. Contributing to the accident was the non-standard pattern entry of the pilot.NTSB SEA07FA165Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Yellow Pine, IDThe pilot's selection of the wrong routing through mountainous terrain and his failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance.NTSB ANC06FA048Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 170B · Chugiak, AKThe inadequate visual lookout by the pilots of both airplanes during cruise flight, which resulted in their failure to see-and-avoid each other, and a subsequent midair collision.NTSB CHI06LA070Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Harrison, MIThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's impairment due to drugs.NTSB LAX06LA064Accident · 4 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Gilroy, CAThe non-instrument rated pilot's poor judgment to fly in dark night instrument conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and loss of aircraft control while maneuvering. Contributing factors were the dark night light condition and the low…NTSB LAX05LA286Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Yuma, AZthe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed on short final, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.NTSB IAD05LA028Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Knottsville, KYthe pilot's loss of control in flight due to spatial disorientation. Also causal to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning which resulted in his inadvertent flight into night instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB SEA03FA089Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Republic, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in a stall and subsequent loss of control during low altitude maneuvering.NTSB NYC02FA012Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · South Hero, VTThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the takeoff. Factors in this accident were wind gusts and the airplane's high gross weight condition.NTSB NYC01FA147Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Newfane, VTThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff. A factor was the pilot's impairment due to a narcotic painkiller and antihistamine.NTSB DEN01FA028Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Lusk, WYthe pilot's VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his subsequent failure to maintain terrain clearance, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to obtain a weather briefing, low…NTSB NYC00FA226Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Davis, WVThe pilot-in-command's inadequate weather evaluation, which resulted in a takeoff with a tailwind, and a subsequent inadvertent stall. Factors were a high gross weight, a high density altitude, and a tailwind.NTSB MIA99FA150Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Fontana, NCthe pilot continued visual flight into know weather conditions which resulted in reduced visibility, and the subsequent in-flight collision with rising terrain. Factors in this accidents were clouds and low ceiling in the accident area.NTSB ATL99FA074Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Savannah, GAThe pilot's selection of the wrong runway for landing and his delayed go-around, which resulted in the collision with trees. A factor was the tailwind on landing.NTSB DEN99FA051Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Gill, COThe pilot's intentional maneuvering at an unwarranted low altitude resulting in a collision with the ground. Factors were the pilot's ostentatious behavioral display and reduced lighting (dusk) conditions.NTSB FTW98FA384Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · West Jordan, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain proper airport traffic pattern altitude. Factors were night lighting conditions and the unseen static line.NTSB SEA98LA154Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Baker City, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance and inadequate in-flight planning/decision. Contributing to the accident was mountain obscuration.NTSB CHI98FA165Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · S. Sioux City, NEThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate flying airspeed during the climbing left turn resulting in a stall condition. Contributing factors were the gusty, crosswind conditions, and the pilot's excessively tight turn maneuver during the initial climb.NTSB ANC96FA141Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Eagle River, AKThe first pilot's failure to maintain sufficient distance/altitude from terrain. A box canyon and mountainous terrain are factors in the accident.NTSB LAX96LA278Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Midas, NVthe decision of the pilot to perform a low-level steep turn which resulted in an inadvertent loss of control and subsequent stall/spin. Factors were high density altitude and inadequate altitude for recovery.NTSB IAD96FA057Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Barkhamsted, CTthe CFI pilot/passenger's poor judgment which led to spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control of the airplane. Factors involved in this accident were the night marginal visual flight conditions and continuing flight with a known nonfunctioning…NTSB FTW95LA057Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Lawton, OKThe pilot's failure to attain sufficient airspeed during takeoff resulting in a stall. Factors were the pilot's selection of the downwind runway and his failure to use all availabble runway.NTSB ANC94FA109Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Big Lake, AKThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed. Factors in the accident were the fog, and the pilot becoming lost/disoriented.NTSB SEA94FA154Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Port Angeles, WALack of oil and connecting rod failure. A factor to the accident was rough/uneven terrain.NTSB CHI93LA037Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Elk River, MNFailure of the pilot to refuel the airplane before the flight.NTSB LAX91FA247Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna C-172 · Lakeside, CAThe failure of the pilot to request radar assistance to avoid low ceilings in high terrain and the pilot's inadequate visual outlook which ultimately resulted in an inflight collision with high terrain. Contributing to the accident were the weather conditions…NTSB SEA91FA059Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Oregon City, ORThe pilot's failure to attain proper airspeed before takeoff. Factors relating to the accident were the binding brake, the uphill grass airstrip, the tail wind weather conditions, and the improper annual inspection that was just completed on the aircraft.NTSB ATL91FA054Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Crossville, TNThe improper flight planning by the noninstrument rated pilot which resulted in his inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions in mountainous terrain.NTSB SEA91FA046Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna C-172 · Colstrip, MTThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance. Factors relating to the accident were the pilot's lack of total night flight experience, his lack of recent night flight experience, the dark night light conditions, and the mountainous/hilly terrain…NTSB MIA90LA037Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)The engine seized from oil starvation (lack of oil or oil pressure), which resulted in the aircraft being ditched at sea.NTSB LAX90FA025Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Safford, AZThe pilot failed to maintain an airspeed above the aircraft's stall speed as he turned away from ascending terrain. The aircraft's inadequate performance resulting from improper grade of fuel and high density altitude and the pilot's lack of experience in…NTSB LAX89FA182Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Industry, CAThe failure of the pilot to maintain an adequate altitude to ensure obstruction clearance. Factors related to the accident were: darkness, low ceiling, fog, and the pilot's continued flight into adverse weather conditions.NTSB MIA89FA090Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Blue Mountain, MSThe continuation of a VFR flight into night, instrument meteorological conditions and the spatial disorientation of the non-instrument rated pilot. Contributing to the accident were the adverse weather conditions and the overconfidence of the pilot.