Cessna 172R accident near Willoughby Hills, Ohio, August 26, 2014
On August 26, 2014 at about 1:58 am local time, a 1999 Cessna 172R, registered N4207P, was destroyed in an accident during maneuvering near Willoughby Hills, Ohio (Cuyahoga County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while returning to the airport immediately after takeoff, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and entering an aerodynamic stall during the turn. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in the airplane being over maximum gross weight and its subsequent decrease in takeoff climb performance.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 26, 2014 · about 1:58 am local time
- Place
- Willoughby Hills, Ohio · Cuyahoga County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172R, built 1999 · all 172Rs on the register
- Registration
- N4207P · no longer on the register · serial 17280798
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and three passengers boarded the airplane for a local flight at night. The controller cleared the flight for takeoff and observed the airplane lift off about 2,000 feet down the runway. Shortly after liftoff, the pilot contacted the controller and reported that the airplane was not "climbing fast" and that he wanted to make a left turn to return to the airport. The controller approved the left turn and observed the airplane begin a left turn and descend to impact with the terrain. A postimpact fire ensued. Examination of the accident site indicated that the airplane impacted in a steep descent. The witness observations and the impact geometry are consistent with the pilot failing to maintain adequate airspeed while turning to return to the airport, resulting in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. A postaccident examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have prevented normal operation of the aircraft. Weight and balance calculations showed that the airplane was between 93.6 and 165.6 pounds over maximum gross weight at the time of the accident. The decreased takeoff climb performance reported by the pilot was likely due to the airplane's over gross weight condition.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Aircraft loading event during prior to flight
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering defining event
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during maneuvering
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Capability exceeded
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Weight/balance calculations › Pilot
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Climb rate › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 116.3 hours in all; 86 in this make and model; 7.6 in the last 90 days; 2.7 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: August 8, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 596 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 1, 2014; 19 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,299 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-L2A (piston); 5,958 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: T & G Flying Club
The flight
- Departed from: CGF Willoughby Hills OH at 1:58 am
- Destination: CGF Willoughby Hills OH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 06, 5,102 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 140° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 20,000 ft; scat at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 2:00 am from CGF
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
15 documents, released by the NTSB on November 17, 2015. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Personal Electronic Device Factual Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Air Traffic Control | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Weather Briefing Requests | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Flight Time Information | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Ohio Highway Patrol Report | PDF, 35 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Witness Statements | PDF, 13 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Refueling Information | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Airport Diagram | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 10 | Weight and Balance Information | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 11 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 12 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 13 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 14 | Photo Array | PDF, 16 pages | View Download |
| 15 | Changes to Factual 8/29/2017 | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.