Cessna 172F accident near Lowell, Michigan, January 19, 2015
On January 19, 2015 at about 10:30 pm local time, a 1964 Cessna 172F, registered N7854U, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Lowell, Michigan (Lowell City Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The student pilot’s loss of airplane control during a go-around after not applying sufficient engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 19, 2015 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Lowell, Michigan · Lowell City Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172F, built 1964 · all 172Fs on the register
- Registration
- N7854U · no longer on the register · serial 17251854
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The solo student pilot was attempting a full-stop landing. The student reported that, when he recognized that the touchdown point was too far down the runway, he initiated a go-around. He added that, during the go-around, he did not apply full power. Due to the low engine power setting, the airplane climbed very slowly. Concerned about trees off the end of the runway, the student initiated a crosswind turn at low altitude and subsequently lost control of the airplane, which then rapidly descended and impacted terrain. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Student/instructed pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Student/instructed pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Student/instructed pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Climb rate › Not attained/maintained
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 23 hours in all; 23 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 3 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,112 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, October 31, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 2,299 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor 0-300 SER (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Majestic Air
The flight
- Departed from: 24C Lowell MI at 10:30 pm
- Destination: 24C Lowell MI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 30, 2,394 ft by 48 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 010° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,900 ft
- Temperature: 32°F (0°C), dew point 23°F (-5°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 10:44 pm from KGRR, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.