NTSB investigations: Cessna 172M

43 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Cessna 172M, where the first occurrence was “In flight encounter with weather”. 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

19822026
NTSB investigations: Cessna 172M per year, 1982–2026: 43 cases
19824
19832
19844
19853
19862
19872
19883
19894
19901
19911
19922
19933
19941
19961
19982
20002
20021
20031
20042
20062

Latest 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.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('2072418')
      AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o.\"occurrenceNumber\" = 1 AND o.\"occurrenceCode\" = 240))
  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.

NTSB SEA07FA012Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Escalante, UTThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were the pilot's lack of experience of flying on instruments on a dark night and in rainy weather.Oct 25, 2006 · N9179D · DestroyedNTSB LAX06CA253Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172M · Gasquet, CAthe pilot's selection of a runway favoring tailwind conditions, his delayed decision to go around, and his failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed during the aborted landing. Contributing factors were the tailwind and wind shear conditions…Aug 4, 2006 · N5262R · Substantial damageNTSB IAD04LA036Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Brownville Junc, METhe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the airplane's controlled flight into rising terrain. Factors included the instrument meteorological conditions and the rising terrain.Aug 12, 2004 · N12959 · Substantial damageNTSB NYC04CA072Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172 · West Dover, VTThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, and his failure to perform a go-around. Factors were wind gusts and the pilot's lack of flight experience.Feb 14, 2004 · N8880V · Substantial damageNTSB ATL03LA131Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Hendersonville, NCThe pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather. The downdraft was a contributing factor.Aug 30, 2003 · N19929 · Substantial damageNTSB FTW03LA056Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Vici, OKThe pilot's departure and continued flight into adverse weather conditions. Contributing factors were the icing conditions, and the lack of suitable terrain for the precautionary landing.Dec 3, 2002 · N4470R · Substantial damageNTSB ANC00LA111Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Alexander Creek, AKThe pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors associated with the accident were gusty winds, and a downdraft.Aug 22, 2000 · N12188 · Substantial damageNTSB MIA00LA187Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Davis, NCThe pilot's inadequate compensation for wind. The crosswind was a contributing factor.Jun 8, 2000 · N4422Q · Substantial damageNTSB IAD98FA072Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Hebron, CTThe pilot's failure to obtain a weather briefing which resulted in inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation. Factors in this accident were low ceilings and…Jun 22, 1998 · N12912 · DestroyedNTSB ANC98FA048Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Palmer, AKThe pilot's intentional flight into known adverse weather conditions. Contributing factors were the terrain induced turbulence, clouds, the pilot's overconfidence in his abilities, and mountainous terrain conditions.May 15, 1998 · N9212H · Substantial damageNTSB CHI96LA103Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Valparaiso, INthe pilot's continued flight into adverse weather. Factors were the low ceilings, icing conditions, airframe ice, and the muddy field.Mar 5, 1996 · N21662 · Substantial damageNTSB SEA94LA133Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Lookout Pass, IDPoor in-flight planning. Factors include cloudy weather.May 29, 1994 · N30608 · DestroyedNTSB DEN93FA097Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Clines Corners, NMThe pilot's failure to maintain a safe and proper altitude. Factors were the pilot's failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing, dark night condition, and weather conditions that included obscuration, fog, and drizzle.Aug 3, 1993 · N23459 · DestroyedNTSB FTW93FA128Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Hobart, OKInadvertent stall. Factors were the instructor pilot's spatial disorientation, his lack of total instrument time, the weather, and the dark night conditions.Apr 13, 1993 · N61529 · DestroyedNTSB BFO93LA059Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Lewisburg, OHThe pilot experienced spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the dark night and inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions.Mar 26, 1993 · N73436 · Substantial damageNTSB FTW93FA039Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Snook, TXThe pilot's intentional flight into instrument meteorological conditions as a result of his alcoholic and drug impairment of efficiency and judgement. Factors contributing to the accident were: the pilot's failure to obtain weather information, the dark night…Nov 19, 1992 · N9323H · DestroyedNTSB FTW92LA114Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Stuttgart, ARThe pilot's failure to compensate for wind conditions. Factors were the crosswind and the downdraft.Apr 12, 1992 · N6934H · Substantial damageNTSB FTW92LA017Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Springer, NMThe pilot's poor judgement in attempting flight into forcasted adverse weather, his disregard for the hazardous weather advisory received which resulted in partial loss of engine power as a result of a blocked induction system due to ice and snow, and the…Nov 2, 1991 · N61539 · Substantial damageNTSB DEN90LA079Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Colorado Spring, COThe pilot's decision to initiate flight into known adverse weather, and his in-flight planning/decison. Factors related to the accident were: the adverse weather conditions, and the accumulation of airframe ice.Mar 25, 1990 · N19948 · Substantial damageNTSB SEA90FA133Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Snoqualmie, WAIntentional flight into known adverse weather conditions and poor weather evaluation by the pilot.Nov 8, 1989 · N73422 · DestroyedNTSB MIA89LA152Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Okeechobee, FLThe pilot's poor preflight preparation when he failed to recheck weather conditions after he delayed takeoff because of thunderstroms. Also, the pilot's poor inflight decision to land off-airport rather than return to the departure airport.May 23, 1989 · N9139H · Substantial damageNTSB MIA89FA109Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Pascagoula, MSContinued flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Contributing factors were: inadequate preflight planning, weather conditions, pilot's lack of instrument flight time, lack of visual cues at night, and trees at the crash site.Mar 17, 1989 · N80542 · DestroyedNTSB LAX89FA091Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Oxnard, CAContinued VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorlogical conditions which resulted in an in-flight collsion with terrain. Related factors were: failure of the pilot to use a preflight briefing service, his decision to initiate flight into known adverse…Jan 6, 1989 · N61587 · DestroyedNTSB SEA88LA088Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Hood River, ORPlt had diverted back along course to land because of observed wx ahead. On late final, a strong wind gust tipped the acft to near wings-vertical attitude. Plt managed to correct to wings level but could not control altitude loss before ground contact. Plt…May 6, 1988 · N12659 · Substantial damageNTSB FTW88FA084Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Hope, ARThe non-instrument rated pilot initiated the flight into known adverse weather after being advised during a preflight weather briefing that VFR flight was not recommended. About 40 minutes before the crash, he called el dorado (Arkansas) radio and requested…Mar 31, 1988 · N6534H · DestroyedNTSB DEN88FA071Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Red Lodge, MTThe plt and two pax were returning to twin falls, id from billings, MT. The plt rec two wx briefings prior to dep. The wx forecast indicated low clouds, snow, turb and icing cond along the intended route of flight. The route of flight required the plt to…Feb 7, 1988 · N20484 · DestroyedNTSB MIA87LA090Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Cedar Key, FLThe plt was attempting to go around after landing fast, due to a tail wind that was stronger that anticipated. Unable to climb, the acft was then blown off the rwy, collided with trees, & came to rest in the gulf of Mexico.Feb 20, 1987 · N12198 · Substantial damageNTSB LAX87LA092Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Oakdale, CADuring a solo instructional flight the student pilot was practicing touch and go landings. Upon take-off on runway 28, the wind was light from 100 degrees. On the first landing the wind had changed to a right cross wind from the north. The pilot compensated…Jan 19, 1987 · N12551 · Substantial damageNTSB SEA86LA244Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 M · Red'S Horse Ran, ORThe pilot was attempting to depart an airstrip with a strong tail wind. 10 to 20 feet AGL the aircraft descended back onto the ground to the right of the airstrip, bounced, rolled through a wire fence and onto soft muddy terrain. The nose wheel dug into the…Sep 13, 1986 · N12135 · DestroyedNTSB LAX86LA205Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Oakland, CABefore takeoff, the plt tuned in the hayward ATIS & received information alpha, which rprtd the wx was: 2200' scattered,3000' overcast & visibility 8 mi. After taking off from rwy 28R, the plt climbed to about 650' & made a rgt turn. At about that time, the…May 3, 1986 · N9656V · Substantial damageNTSB ATL86LLQ01Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportCessna 172 · London, KYThe acft crashed during a forced landing after fuel exhaustion during a x-country flt. The plt had encountered wx and in attempting to reach an alternate arpt the acft ran out of fuel. The plt was not instrument rated and the wx at London was 600 ft overcast…Oct 3, 1985 · N20273 · Substantial damageNTSB ANC85FA138Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Red Devil, AKShortly after the plt took off on a ngt flt to bethel, the acft crashed just north of the east/west rwy in a nose down attitude & on a southwesterly heading. The acft was destroyed during impact, but contd sliding aprx 35 yds to the north edge of the rwy,…Jul 29, 1985 · N12904 · DestroyedNTSB MKC85LA063Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Fort Madison, IAThe plt stated that an inflight encounter with a gust of wind during landing resulted in a sharp loss of altitude and a bounced landing. Consequently a second gust on rollout followed by the plts loss of directional control resulted in the acft departing the…Feb 16, 1985 · N61868 · Substantial damageNTSB ATL85LA045Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Ahoskie, NCWhile on a night VFR local area flight the pilot noticed haze obscuring the lights on the ground. He returned to the airport and activated the REIL lights, he lost sight of the lights as he entered the traffic pattern. During the left turn to base, he entered…Nov 27, 1984 · N12946 · DestroyedNTSB LAX85FA048Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Lake Isabella, CAAcft departed arpt in mountain valley (elev 2,614) generally direct toward a saddle pass (elev 6,500) about 1 mi nw & on the lee side of the valley. Tops of the mountains around the valley average about 7,000 ft MSL. Flt encountered updrafts during climb…Nov 23, 1984 · N9589V · DestroyedNTSB SEA85FA016Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Aberdeen, WAAcft wreckage indicates impact was nose down inverted. No evidence was found of acft failure/malfunction. Plt departed on night cross-country after an evening out with friends. Wreckage found two months later, no toxicological tests possible.Sep 16, 1984 · N1150T · DestroyedNTSB LAX84LA149Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Kelseyville, CAThe plt became disoriented while in IMC and could not locate the arpt. The ple stated that due to lights on the ground he thought that he was over the peninsula, which is an area of low terrain. He attempted a 180 deg turn after descendingto 500 ft MSL. The…Jan 21, 1984 · N5154H · DestroyedNTSB FTW84FA023Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Redfield, ARAt aprx 1331 CDT, the plt entered the pine bluff fss station & requested a briefing for a VFR flt to springfield, MO. He was advised that VFR flt was not recommended. The plt returned again between 1335 & 1350 & was seen examining the wx charts. At aprx 1420,…Oct 16, 1983 · N321HR · DestroyedNTSB CHI83FA089Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Rockford, ILThe acft collided into the 2nd floor of a building while making an ILS approach to runway 36 at Rockford, IL. The weather was IMC. An IFR flight plan was filed. A pilot weather briefing was not given. The pilot was instrument rated. An approach was attempted…Jan 24, 1983 · N61558 · DestroyedNTSB NYC83FA033Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Williamsport, PAThe aircraft departed the airport with ice on the airframe. The pilot encountered more icing in flight and decided to return to the airport, but was unable to maintain his altitude. The aircraft collided with trees during a forced landing. The pilot had been…Nov 28, 1982 · N1498U · Substantial damageNTSB ATL82FA153Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172M · Alabaster, ALAt 0755, the plt contacted birmingham approach control & reported 35 mi south at 2,000 ft. he was advised of the bhm wx & that it was IFR at the arpt. The pilot stated he would like to land at another arpt & was given his approximate position to three arpts.…Jun 4, 1982 · N5443H · DestroyedNTSB MIA82DA047Accident · No injuriesFinal reportCessna 172 · San Juan, PROn final approach the tower controller told the flight that other aircraft had reported wind shear below 800 feet. The pilot landed the aircraft and ran off the right side of the runway. The pilot reported wind gusts to 21 knots.Feb 15, 1982 · N21732 · Substantial damageNTSB NYC82FNA10Accident · Minor injuriesFinal reportCessna 172 · Taunton, MAThe student pilot took off at night on an unsupervised pleasure flight. His passenger did not hold any type of pilot certificate. After takeoff, the pilot encountered fog. He used the nbd for orientation and was able to return to the airport. He reported…Jan 24, 1982 · N80420 · Substantial damage