Cessna 172 accident near Westhampton Beach, New York, October 23, 2021
On October 23, 2021 at about 5:34 pm local time, a 2006 Cessna 172, registered N1188L, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Westhampton Beach, New York (Francis S Gabreski 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
A total loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 23, 2021 · about 5:34 pm local time
- Place
- Westhampton Beach, New York · Francis S Gabreski · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 S, built 2006 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N1188L · registry record · serial 172S10370
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a cross-country flight, the engine lost all power when the airplane was at an altitude of 3,000 ft mean sea level; however, the propeller continued to windmill. The pilot diverted toward an airport located about 5 miles west of the airplane’s position. He also attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful. During the glide to the diversion airport, the airplane impacted trees just before the intended landing runway and came to rest upright against the airport perimeter fence. Postaccident examination of the engine and its accessories revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Additionally, about 35 gallons of fuel were drained after the accident, and fuel remained throughout the fuel system. As a result, the cause of the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available evidence for this investigation.
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 enroute (cruise)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
- Unknown or undetermined during unknown defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,230 hours in all; 1,200 in this make and model; 16 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 1,096 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 4, 2021
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 964 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 19, 2021; 38 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-L2a (piston); 964 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HTO East Hampton NY at 5:15 pm
- Destination: ISP Islip NY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 9,002 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 7,500 ft
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from FOK, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KFOK 231753Z 33007KT 10SM BKN075 15/04 A2994 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on August 30, 2023. 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 | Interview Summaries | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Excerpts from Maintenance Records | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photo Array | PDF, 3 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.