Skip to content

NTSB investigations: Cessna 172, CO

18 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.

Defining event

Finding

Phase of flight

Aircraft model

Cases per year

19652026

Where

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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CO' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' 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

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.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'CO' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
    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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CO' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  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

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 CEN13CA200Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · Kremmling, COThe student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing.Mar 16, 2013 · N7407A · Substantial damage NTSB CEN13LA166Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Akron, COThe pilot’s physical impairment due to alcohol intoxication, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall during landing.Feb 17, 2013 · N6199E · Destroyed NTSB DEN05LA058Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Montrose, COthe pilot's improper in-flight planning during the descent which resulted in partial loss of engine power due to carburetor ice. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to select carburetor heat during the descent and unsuitable terrain for the forced…Feb 16, 2005 · N3985F · Destroyed NTSB DEN01LA051Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Grand Junction, COFailure by the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing roll. A factor was lack of total pilot experience in aircraft make and model.Jan 31, 2001 · N6830A · Substantial damage 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.Mar 14, 1999 · N6085A · Destroyed NTSB DEN92LA032Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Delta, COA complete power loss for undetermined reasons. A factor in the accident was: unsuitable terrain on which to conduct an emergency landing.Feb 9, 1992 · N8242B · Substantial damage NTSB DEN90LA031Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Colorado Spgs, COThe pilot in command attempted a takeoff with the fuel mixture full rich, with a high density altitude, resulting in a partial loss of engine power during initial climb.Dec 3, 1989 · N6251E · Substantial damage NTSB DEN76FTE66Accident · Minor injuriesClosedCessna 172 · Burlington, COMay 9, 1976 · N8387B · Substantial damage NTSB DEN73ADO20Accident · 3 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Paonia, CONov 10, 1972 · N6611A · Destroyed NTSB DEN71FTE03Accident · Minor injuriesClosedCessna 172 · Rifle, COMay 22, 1971 · N8285B · Substantial damage NTSB DEN71FXD22Accident · Serious injuriesClosedCessna 172 · Denver, COJul 31, 1970 · N8585B · Substantial damage NTSB DEN70DXD24Accident · Minor injuriesClosedCessna 172 · Fruita, COApr 12, 1970 · N7274A · Substantial damage NTSB DEN70AD043Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Rollinsville, COJan 2, 1970 · N7104A · Destroyed NTSB DEN69D0150Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 172 · Ft.Carson, COSep 26, 1968 · N7156A · Substantial damage NTSB DEN69A0001Accident · 5 fatalClosedCessna 172 · Empire, COJul 2, 1968 · N3951F · Destroyed NTSB DEN69D0023Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 172 · Silver Cliff, COJun 29, 1968 · N3932F · Substantial damage NTSB DEN66D0241Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 172 · Nunn, COJan 30, 1966 · N6221E · Substantial damage NTSB DEN66F0156Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 172 · Usaf Academy, CONov 14, 1965 · N346TC · Substantial damage