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Fatal NTSB investigations: Cessna 172D

43 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Cessna 172D. 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.

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Cases per year

19642026

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Latest cases

Query with SQL

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 ('2072410')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

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 ('2072410'))
  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 ('2072410'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

Run 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 CEN23FA187Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Chambers, NEThe pilot’s continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions at night and his failure to maintain adequate altitude, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.May 15, 2023 · N2946U · Substantial damage NTSB CEN10FA181Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172D · Hillsboro, OHImpact with the runway pavement for unknown reasons.Apr 2, 2010 · N2190Y · Destroyed NTSB SEA04FA191Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172D · Mountain Home, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from high terrain while maneuvering. High terrain was a factor.Sep 19, 2004 · N2650U · Substantial damage NTSB MIA96FA089Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172D · Hawthorne, FLthe pilot's failure to maintain the proper glidepath during an instrument approach.Mar 2, 1996 · N2456U · Destroyed NTSB LAX96FA121Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172D · Julian, CAthe pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. The pilot's inadequate preflight/preparation, low clouds, fog, and mountain obscuration were factors in the accident.Feb 26, 1996 · N2598U · Destroyed NTSB FTW95FA349Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172D · Tsaile, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance. Factors were the pilot's lack of mountain flying experience and the rising terrain.Apr 24, 1995 · N2587Y · Destroyed NTSB MIA95LA032Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172D · Miami, FLThe passenger committed suicide.Dec 3, 1994 · N707PP · No damage NTSB SEA94FA045Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172D · Bandon, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance. Factors include strong, gust winds, a dark night, and the pilot's lack of experience in nighttime operations.Jan 1, 1994 · N2813U · Destroyed NTSB LAX92AMS03Accident · 2 fatalFinal reportCessna 172D · Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean)The failure of the pilot to adequately evaluate the weather conditions, and continued VFR flight into IMC conditions which resulted in the pilot becoming lost and disoriented. Contributing to the accident was the lack of total aeronautical experience and fuel…Mar 1, 1992 · N2425U · Destroyed NTSB ATL91FA077Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172D · Mocksville, NCThe loss of engine power due to open circuits in the ignition wiring harness, and the pilot's failure to maintain flying airspeed during the forced landing attempt. Factors in this accident were the dark night lighting conditions at the time of the accident.Apr 7, 1991 · N2936U · Substantial damage NTSB ATL91FAMS1Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 172D · Missing (Atlantic Ocean)The pilot's continuation of visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of aircraft control. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's failure to obtain a weather briefing before…Jan 7, 1991 · N2165Y · Destroyed NTSB CHI90FA026Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172D · Mt Morris, ILVFR flight into IMC and spatial disorientation of the pilot. Contributing to the accident were the meteorological conditions and the overconfidence and lack of experience of the pilot.Nov 15, 1989 · N2796U · Destroyed NTSB ATL86FA132Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172D · Athens, GADuring the return from a local sightseeing flight, the pilot reported over the UNICOM that they were making an emergency approach and were out of fuel. An interview with one of the non-pilot passengers revealed that prior to the flight they discussed…May 17, 1986 · N2592U · Destroyed NTSB ATL86FA001Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Chapel Hill, NCN2765U crashed shortly after making a low pass over a private air strip near Chapel Hill. The aircraft was seen in a nose high attitude prior to impacting a tree about 40 above the ground. The aircraft also collided with a power transmission line. The…Oct 1, 1985 · N2765U · Destroyed NTSB FTW82FA030Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Venus, TXDec 10, 1981 · N2894U · Destroyed NTSB FTW81FA113Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172D · Alamogordo, NMJul 1, 1981 · N2591Y · Destroyed NTSB NYC79FA104Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172D · Greenwich, CTSep 20, 1979 · N2331U · Destroyed NTSB FTW78FA037Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172D · West Helena, ARApr 2, 1978 · N2049Y · Destroyed NTSB MKC77FA033Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172D · St.Louis, MOAug 14, 1977 · N2113Y · Destroyed NTSB NYC76AN097Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Marklesburg, PAMay 19, 1976 · N56F · Destroyed NTSB MIA76FLD88Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172D · Tampa Bay, FLApr 27, 1975 · N2844U · Destroyed NTSB ANC75AA033Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Kodiak, AKOct 6, 1974 · N2453U · Destroyed NTSB MKC75AK009Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172D · Shelbyville, MOAug 7, 1974 · N2804U · Destroyed NTSB FTW73AF008Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172D · Farwell, TXAug 12, 1972 · N2328U · Destroyed NTSB DEN72AD061Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172D · Victor, COJun 28, 1972 · N2580U · Destroyed NTSB NYC72AN113Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Crewe, VAMar 17, 1972 · N2586Y · Destroyed NTSB NYC72AN077Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Buckhannon, WVDec 11, 1971 · N2501Y · Destroyed NTSB ANC71AA049Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Glenallen, AKMar 28, 1971 · N2324U · Substantial damage NTSB MIA69A0068Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172D · Summerton, SCApr 16, 1969 · N50001 · Substantial damage NTSB IAD69A0053Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Emporia, VAApr 4, 1969 · N2072Y · Destroyed NTSB MKC69A0019Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 172D · Lexington, MOOct 6, 1968 · N2428U · Destroyed NTSB SEA69A0017Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Lopez, WAAug 28, 1968 · N2520Y · Destroyed NTSB CHI67A0081Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Ashtabula, OHDec 19, 1966 · N2347U · Destroyed NTSB NYC66A0112Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172D · Princeton, WVApr 5, 1966 · N2486U · Destroyed NTSB LAX66A0074Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172D · Newhall, CAMar 27, 1966 · N2958U · Destroyed NTSB LAX65A0090Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172D · Etiwanda, CAMay 22, 1965 · N2597U · Destroyed NTSB DEN65A0064Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172D · 38ne Tacna, AZApr 4, 1965 · N2103Y · Destroyed NTSB MKC65A0050Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172D · Blaisdell, NDFeb 18, 1965 · N2460U · Destroyed NTSB UNK65X0841Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172D · Beaumont, CANov 26, 1964 · N2187Y · Destroyed NTSB UNK65X0537Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Tracy, CANov 2, 1964 · N2588Y · Destroyed NTSB UNK65X0392Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Houston, TXOct 23, 1964 · N2142Y · Destroyed NTSB UNK64X0553Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172D · Provo, UTFeb 13, 1964 · N2970U · Destroyed NTSB UNK64X0336Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Lochiel, INJan 23, 1964 · N2753U · Destroyed