Cessna 172S accident near Venice, Florida, April 17, 2021
On April 17, 2021 at about 9:15 pm local time, a 2006 Cessna 172S, registered N60457, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Venice, Florida (Venice Muni airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 17, 2021 · about 9:15 pm local time
- Place
- Venice, Florida · Venice Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172S NO SERIES, built 2006 · all 172Ss on the register
- Registration
- N60457 · no longer on the register · serial 172S10212
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor was conducting a flight review of the private pilot. After the pilot reduced engine power for landing abeam the runway numbers on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the airplane’s engine lost total power. The instructor immediately took over the flight controls and performed several troubleshooting steps; however, power was not restored. He believed that the airplane did not have sufficient altitude to reach the runway, and he completed a forced landing to a nearby golf course, during which the airplane impacted trees and came to rest partially submerged in a pond. The fuselage, wings, and empennage sustained substantial damage. The engine remained submerged in water for 18 hours after the accident and was examined 23 days after the accident. Visual examination of the engine fuel lines, control linkages, and accessories revealed no obvious mechanical defects and valvetrain continuity was confirmed; however, the engine contained a significant volume of water and several components displayed corrosion damage consistent with water exposure. After the engine and its components were cleaned, several attempts to start the engine were unsuccessful. Examination of the magnetos revealed corrosion consistent with water exposure. When a new right magneto was installed, the engine started immediately and produced power without interruption through its full power range. It is likely that the corrosion damage found on the engine and its components were a result of the postaccident water immersion. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.
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 engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
- Collision during takeoff/land during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Dual student
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 195 hours in all; 32 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 128 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 18, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,761 hours in all; 1,196 in this make and model; 222 in the last 90 days; 83 in the last 30 days; 1,711 as pilot in command; 1,393 on instruments
- Last flight review: July 3, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,021.4 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, March 25, 2021; 40.8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-L2A (piston); 8,062 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 05/2, 5,000 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 5:15 pm from KVNC, 2 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KVNC 172115Z AUTO 21010KT 6SM HZ CLR 27/23 A2987 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on August 19, 2021. 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation (Pilot Receiving Instruction) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Engine Examination Summary | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photo Array | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Video of Engine Run | MOV file | Download |
| 6 | G1000 SD Card Factual Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Excerpts of Maintenance Records | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 2 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.