Fatal NTSB investigations: Cessna 172N
258 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Cessna 172N. 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
| 1976 | 2 |
|---|---|
| 1977 | 5 |
| 1978 | 8 |
| 1979 | 10 |
| 1980 | 11 |
| 1981 | 16 |
| 1982 | 19 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1984 | 5 |
| 1985 | 6 |
| 1986 | 4 |
| 1987 | 7 |
| 1988 | 10 |
| 1989 | 6 |
| 1990 | 9 |
| 1991 | 10 |
| 1992 | 5 |
| 1993 | 8 |
| 1994 | 9 |
| 1995 | 8 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 1997 | 6 |
| 1998 | 8 |
| 1999 | 2 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 3 |
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 ('2072434'))
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 ('2072434'))
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 WPR26FA330Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportCessna 172N · San Diego, CAOn September 7, 2026, about 1720 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N734ZK, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near San Diego, California. The flight instructor and student pilot were fatally injured. The airplane was being operated as a…NTSB CEN26FA192Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportCessna 172N · Westerly, RIOn May 18, 2026, about 1205 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N733CP, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Westerly, Rhode Island. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal…NTSB ERA26FA084Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportCessna 172 · Provincetown, MAOn January 4, 2026, at 1504 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172N, N9360E, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Provincetown, Massachusetts. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of…NTSB CEN26FA051Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportCessna 172N · New Orleans, LAOn November 24, 2025, at 1824 central standard time, a Cessna 172N airplane, N80FP, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near New Orleans, Louisiana. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction were fatally injured. The flight was…NTSB ERA24FA292Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172N · Lock Haven, PAThe student pilot’s premature turn to the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern at low airspeed and altitude, resulting in a collision with trees and terrain.NTSB ERA24FA096Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Weston, FLThe pilots’ spatial disorientation in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in their failure to maintain altitude and a subsequent descent and impact with a swamp.NTSB WPR23FA258Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172N · San Rafael, CAThe total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing as a result of the pilot’s failure to activate the carburetor heat in a timely manner during the descent.NTSB WPR23FA247Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172N · Murrieta, CAThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Contributing to the loss of control was the pilot’s sudden retraction of the flaps.NTSB ERA23FA200Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · London, OHThe flight instructor’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery.NTSB ERA22FA318Accident · 4 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportPiper PA-46-350P · North Las Vegas, NVThe low-wing airplane pilot’s failure to ensure that the airplane was aligned with the correct runway, which resulted in a collision with the high-wing airplane on final approach. Contributing to the accident was the controller’s failure to provide timely and…NTSB CEN22FA197Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Broomfield, COThe pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane for reasons that could not be determined.NTSB WPR20LA212Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172 · Lake Tahoe, CAThe partial loss of engine power due to carbon buildup in the No. 4 cylinder resulting from the pilot’s inadequate mixture-leaning procedures.NTSB ERA19FA161Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 172 · Tyrone, PAThe pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in controlled flight into trees and terrain.NTSB ERA18FA194Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA34 · Miami, FLThe failure of both pilots in both airplanes to see and avoid the other airplane as they converged nearly head-on at the same altitude.NTSB CEN18FA227Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Rotan, TXThe pilot's reckless decision to conduct low-level flight over a canyon, resulting in the airplane's impact with power lines and terrain.NTSB CEN18FA024Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Hatch, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall/spin.NTSB WPR17FA196Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Bolinas, CAThe non-instrument rated private pilot's improper decision to embark on a flight and continue to fly into forecasted instrument meteorological conditions and mountain obscuration while conducting a visual flight rules flight.NTSB WPR17FA171Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Big Bear, CAThe pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during takeoff in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, loss of control, and subsequent impact with terrain.NTSB WPR17FA023Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Moss Beach, CAThe pilot's loss of airplane control following an encounter with low level wind shear and turbulence during final approach for landing. Contributing to the loss of control was the pilot's decision to retract the wing flaps on final approach, which resulted in…NTSB ERA17WA049Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172N · Kingston, JamaicaOn November 18, 2016, about 1335 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172N, United Stated registration N101KA, operated by the Caribbean Aviation Training Centre, was destroyed when it impacted a building in Greenwich Farm, Kingston 13, Jamaica. The pilot and two…NTSB ERA16FA309Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Hollywood, FLThe pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight weather planning, which resulted in continued flight into a thunderstorm and a subsequent loss of airplane control.NTSB CEN16FA333Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Terre Haute, INThe pilot's failure to maintain a normal approach path to the runway, which resulted in the airplane colliding with a tree and a house during final approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent flight experience.NTSB WPR16FAMS1Accident · 2 fatalMissing aircraftFinal reportCessna 172N · Avalon, CAUndetermined because the airplane was not located.NTSB ERA16FA141Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Charleston, WVThe flight instructor's failure to ensure that her seat was properly secured before initiating the takeoff, which resulted in a subsequent loss of control. Contributing was the lack of an installed secondary seat stop.NTSB CEN16FA083Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Gilmer, TXThe pilot's inadequate preflight planning and inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate traffic pattern altitude and distance from the…NTSB CEN16FA073Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Wayne, NEThe noninstrument-rated pilot's improper decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with terrain.NTSB CEN14FA435Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Natchitoches, LAThe partial loss of engine power due to the exhaust valve rocker retaining stud backing out of the cylinder head, which resulted in the exhaust valve being stuck in the closed position. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to configure the…NTSB ERA14LA346Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Elliott Key, FLThe airplane’s vertical descent into water for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident airplane examinations revealed no mechanical anomalies.NTSB ERA13FA059Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Owls Head, METhe vehicle driver's failure to verify that the runway was not occupied by an airplane before crossing the runway, which resulted in the vehicle being struck by a departing airplane, and the pilot's continued takeoff with flight control damage, which…NTSB ERA13WA205Accident · 4 fatalForeign investigationCessna 172N · Acreúna Municipality, BrazilNTSB CEN12FA154Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Floresville, TXThe medical incapacitation of the pilot due to a sudden cardiac arrhythmia or acute myocardial infarction.NTSB WPR12LA093Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Fresno, CAThe non-certificated pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to performance-impairing drugs.NTSB WPR10LA307Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Angels Camp, CAThe pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering.NTSB CEN10FA101Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Holland, MIThe pilot's decision to take off in known instrument meteorological conditions without instrument currency or recent instrument experience, which led to spatial disorientation resulting in an inadvertent spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack…NTSB WPR09FA248Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Long Beach, CAThe failure of both pilots to see and avoid each other's aircraft.NTSB WPR09LA149Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Oceanside, CAA loss of aircraft control for undetermined reasons.NTSB LAX08FA246Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · McMurray, WAThe pilot's improper decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological weather conditions. Contributing to the accident were low ceilings, reduced visibility, and mountainous terrain.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 LAX08FA049Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Corona, CAThe failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other airplane.NTSB DFW08FA040Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Marlow, OKThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident were the low altitude for recovery and the gusty tailwind.NTSB NYC07FA193Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Rochester, NYThe pilot's failuire to maitain adequate airspeed during a turning maneuver which resulted in an inadvertent stall.NTSB CHI07FA140Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Sharonville, OHThe inadequate visual lookout of the pilots in both airplanes and their not maintaining clearance from each others airplane during climb.NTSB LAX07FA123Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Page, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude, and, his failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering to reverse course in a box canyon. Contributing to the accident were the rising terrain and the box canyon.NTSB DFW06FA187Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Petal, MSThe pilot's improper use of flaps, which resulted in an impact with trees during takeoff-initial climb.NTSB NYC06LA179Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Pompton Lakes, NJImproper maintenance of the throttle shaft, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during cruise flight, and subsequent impact with trees during a forced landing.NTSB NYC06FA154Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Newry, METhe flight instructor's failure to maintain altitude/clearance while maneuvering, which resulted in an impact with trees.NTSB ATL05FA128Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Penrose, NCA loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to use the full length of the runway for takeoff, and the inadvertent stall.NTSB ANC05FA037Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Cedar Key, FLThe pilot's continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an abrupt maneuver to avoid a power line, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, a loss of control, and subsequent collision…NTSB NYC05LA033Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Mount Gilead, OHThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane following an inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions. A factor in the accident was the rapidly deteriorating weather.NTSB NYC05FA001Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Germantown, NYThe pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision which led to VFR flight into IMC and his loss of aircraft control. Factors were night and cloud conditions.