Fatal NTSB investigations: Cessna 172K
98 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Cessna 172K. 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
| 1969 | 6 |
|---|---|
| 1970 | 8 |
| 1971 | 11 |
| 1972 | 7 |
| 1973 | 8 |
| 1974 | 6 |
| 1975 | 4 |
| 1976 | 3 |
| 1977 | 3 |
| 1978 | 3 |
| 1979 | 1 |
| 1980 | 1 |
| 1982 | 3 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1988 | 1 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 2 |
| 1992 | 1 |
| 1993 | 2 |
| 1994 | 3 |
| 1997 | 2 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2025 | 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 ('2072430'))
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 ('2072430'))
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 WPR25FA182Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportCessna 172 · Billings, MTOn 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…NTSB CEN20WA011Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172 · San Salvador, El SalvadorNTSB CEN15FAMS1Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 172K · Lake Pontchartrain, LAThe airplane's collision with water for reasons that could not be determined because the wreckage was not located.NTSB ERA14FA428Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Selkirk, NYA loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.NTSB WPR14FA302Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Littlefield, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control when the airplane encountered high gusting wind while conducting low altitude flight in a narrow canyon, which resulted in an inflight collision with terrain.NTSB WPR14FA078Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Fresno, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees while on approach, which subsequently led to a loss of airplane control. Also causal was the pilot’s continued operation of the airplane at night with a diagnosed medical condition that degraded…NTSB ERA13LA281Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Newton, MSThe student pilot's failure to increase engine power during the descent for landing when instructed to do so by the flight instructor and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in collision with a static wire. Contributing to the…NTSB ERA13FA062Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Savannah, GAThe pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while operating in night, instrument meteorological conditions, due to spatial disorientation.NTSB ERA10FA502Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Chatsworth, GAThe pilot's inadequate flight planning and in-flight fuel management resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the operator's failure to ensure aircraft records pertaining to engine modifications and…NTSB LAX08FA256Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Gearhart, ORThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the initial climb after takeoff due to spatial disorientation.NTSB CHI08LA101Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Roseglen, NDThe pilot failed to maintain obstacle clearance from the TV antenna during a low altitude maneuver. Contributing factors were the antenna, the night conditions, and pilot impairment due to alcohol.NTSB ATL07FA038Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Bessemer, ALThe non-instrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions.NTSB LAX04FA096Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Grass Valley, CAthe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions and failure to maintain an adequate terrain/object clearance altitude. Also causal was the pilot's improper in-flight decision to return to the origin airport in the face of…NTSB FTW04FA045Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Grand Saline, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while on final approach. Factors were the high winds and prevailing crosswind.NTSB DEN02FA084Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Greeley, COthe student pilot's improper handling of the airplane's controls (for reason undetermined), and the inadequate supervision of the flight instructor. A contributing factor was the high density altitude weather condition.NTSB DEN02FA017Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Boulder, COthe pilot's intentional suicidal flight into terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's psychological depressive state, and his use of inappropriate medication.NTSB CHI01FA064Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Martinsville, INThe pilots decision not to fly to the alternate airport, his decision to continue the flight in known adverse weather conditions, spatial disorientation by the pilot, and his failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors were the low ceilings, the dark night,…NTSB MIA00FA103Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Sarasota, FLThe failure of the supervisor/ground controller and the local controller to provide effective separation between the accident airplanes on the runway, resulting in a collision during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the pilot and…NTSB NYC99FA107Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Shirley, NYThe pilot's loss of control of the airplane due to intoxication. A factor was the pilot's self-induced pressure to conduct the flight.NTSB NYC98FA063Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Boxborough, MAThe failure of the pilot to remove the frost on the wings before departure, which resulted in a stallNTSB LAX97FA331Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Sandy Valley, NVthe pilot's intentional VFR flight into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from mountainous/hilly terrain. Related factors were: the high/mountainous/hilly terrain, and the adverse weather condition (low…NTSB MIA97WA220Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172K · Normans Cay, BahamasNTSB LAX95FA037Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Springerville, AZthe pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. The pilot's diverted attention and overconfidence in the aircraft's ability to fly slow were factors in this accident.NTSB SEA94FA225Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Laramie, WYThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Downdraft wind on the lee side of the ridgeline was a factor.NTSB SEA94FA182Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Patos Island, WAThe pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to drugs (marijuana), and his improper planning/decision, which resulted in his failure to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from trees, while taking off toward the closed end of a cove.NTSB SEA94FA018Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · North Bend, ORLoss of control while in flight due to pilot incapacitation from atherosclerotic heart disease.NTSB LAX93FA110Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Gorman, CAThe pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather conditions and continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditionsNTSB MIA92FA158Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Rockledge, FLFailure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed during the final approach resulting in an inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent experience in the type operation, lack of experience at the airport in the type…NTSB SEA90FA091Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Tacoma, WAThe pilot did not adequately maintain a proper glide path for landing which resulted in an inflight collision with a tree.NTSB MIA90FA118Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Mayaguez, PRThe pilot's failue to conduct proper preflight preparations, resulting in a takeoff at 175 pounds over maximum allowable gross weight, with full flaps extended, and on the improper runway for wind conditions which resulted in the airplane being unable to…NTSB DEN89FA083Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCraven'S Quickie Q2 · Watkins, COFailure of both pilot's to maintain visual lookout.NTSB NYC88FA218Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Island Falls, MEPilot's poor in-inflight decisions and planning and failed to follow ATC directives to maintain VFR. The pilot continued VFR into IFR conditions and collided with hilly terrain.NTSB CHI86FA174Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Random Lake, WIThe acft lost pwr on final apprch and crashed into a swamp. Post accident investigation revealed that the eng camshaft was worn reducing the pwr output of the powerplant.NTSB ATL83FA238Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Millhaven, GAThe plt & his son took off at night to participate in the search for a downed acft. Subsequently, they found the burning wreckage of the downed plane. They saw people moving around the accident scene & made a pass over it by diving with the landing light on.…NTSB MKC83FA025Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Oxford, NEThe pilot made 3 low passes near his son's home. Reportedly, the 3rd pass was made at an altitude of about 40 to 50 ft AGL. A witness then observed the pilot pull up abruptly to about a 45 deg climb. After climbing an additional 40 to 50 ft, the aircraft…NTSB LAX82FA167Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Morman Lake, AZThe acft departed winslow, AZ on a flt to long beach, CA with an en route stop scheduled for prescot, AZ. Before departing winslow, the plt was warned by another plt that he had encountered extreme turbulence in the vicinity of mormon mtn. The plt and pax's…NTSB LAX82FA078Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Hollister, CAThe aircraft flew into the side of a mountain in level cruise. The accident happened during weather in which VFR flight had not been recommended. Clouds were obscuring the mountains. The aircraft was on the return leg of a cross-country flight. No flight plan…NTSB NYC80FA060Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Rockland, MENTSB DEN79FA037Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Centennial, WYNTSB FTW79FA028Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172K · Austin, TXNTSB FTW79FA004Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172K · New Orleans, LANTSB CHI78FA065Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172K · Mackinaw City, MINTSB OAK78FA004Accident · 4 fatalClosedCessna 172K · Willits, CANTSB SEA77FA052Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172K · Skykomish, WANTSB NYC77FA059Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 172K · Flushing, NYNTSB IAD76AI092Accident · 5 fatalClosedCessna 172K · Bryson City, NCNTSB SEA76AS049Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172K · Weiser, IDNTSB NYC76AN077Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172K · Burlington, VTNTSB IAD76AI017Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172K · Parkersburg, WVNTSB MIA75AM069Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172K · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)