Cessna 172M accident near Solon Springs, Wisconsin, March 9, 2026
On March 9, 2026 at about 6:45 pm local time, a 1975 Cessna 172M, registered N61761, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Solon Springs, Wisconsin (Solon Springs Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 9, 2026 · about 6:45 pm local time
- Place
- Solon Springs, Wisconsin · Solon Springs Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172M, built 1975 · all 172Ms on the register
- Registration
- N61761 · registry record · serial 17264782
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that while landing on the runway, the airplane bounced and then settled on the runway. The pilot felt that she did not have adequate runway remaining to safely conduct a go-around and attempted to stop on the remaining runway. The airplane veered to the right and departed the runway surface. The nosewheel struck a pile of snow, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted resulting in substantial damage to both wings and the vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that the airplane had no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if a go-around were initiated earlier on the approach.
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 on ground during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 127.1 hours in all; 73.2 in this make and model; 24.1 in the last 90 days; 21.9 in the last 30 days; 40.7 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 19, 2025
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,507 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 17, 2026
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 4,306 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ROS Rush City MN at 6:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 01/1, 3,100 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 8 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 29.69 inHg
- Observation at 1:00 pm from KHYR, 23 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KHYR 091753Z AUTO 30008G16KT 270V340 10SM CLR 08/M02 A2969 RMK AO2 SLP060 T00831017 10094 20050 51034 $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 4 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Accident Airplane
Photograph 2 – Airplane Left wing damage
Photograph 3 – Airplane Vertical Stabilizer
Photograph 4 – Airplane Right WingThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on April 30, 2026. 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Investigation Photographs | PDF, 5 pages · our copy | 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.