Cessna 172 accident near Jupiter, Florida, June 18, 2021
On June 18, 2021 at about 10:32 pm local time, a 1978 Cessna 172, registered N2797E, was substantially damaged in an accident near Jupiter, Florida. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The flight instructor’s failure to obtain the proper touchdown point during a forced landing. Contributing to the accident was the improper service and subsequent inadequate inspection of the single-drive, dual magneto, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made September 29, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 18, 2021 · about 10:32 pm local time
- Place
- Jupiter, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 N, built 1978 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N2797E · registry record · serial 17271324
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a local instructional flight, about 2,700 ft above ground level, the engine lost total power. The instructor was unable to restart the engine and attempted to land on a grass field; however, the airplane overflew the field and collided with a fence and trees before coming to rest nose-down in a creek. Review of flight track data revealed that the airplane overflew several fields, ranging in length from approximately 1,500 ft to 2,500 ft before the collision. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the single-drive, dual output magneto had separated from the rear accessory section of the engine. The nuts, clamps, and lock washers that secured the magneto to the studs were not recovered and the studs did not exhibit any stripping or damage of the threads. Cuts in the magneto housing were consistent with the magneto vibrating over time, possibly due to tightening at an angle between the two studs. The magneto was removed and reinstalled as part of an inspection completed about 3 months (215 hours) before the accident. The mechanic who completed the inspection and reinstalled the magneto stated that the reinstallation included clamps and nuts that were used, but serviceable, and new lock washers. The mechanic added that there were no defects noted at the time of the inspection. An annual inspection of the airplane was completed about 1 month (74 flight hours) before the accident. The mechanic that completed the annual inspection stated he followed the Code of Federal Regulations Part 43 checklist, which does not specifically include magnetos; however, he checked with his hand (by trying to wiggle all the accessories) that the magneto was secure.
The NTSB's narratives can run to many pages; this is the opening. Read the full report at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N2797E the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database and is rewritten in plain English only where the NTSB used codes; the probable cause and narrative are the NTSB's own words. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA21LA261.