Cessna 172 accident near Westminster, Maryland, June 6, 2022
On June 6, 2022 at about 8:20 pm local time, a 1974 Cessna 172, registered N29501, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Westminster, Maryland (Clearview Airpark airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The student pilot’s loss of control during a go-around and the delayed remedial action initiated by the flight instructor, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 6, 2022 · about 8:20 pm local time
- Place
- Westminster, Maryland · Clearview Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 M, built 1974 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N29501 · no longer on the register · serial 17264117
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor reported that during a dual training flight with a student pilot, they returned to their base airport and practiced two landings without incident. During the third landing, the student pilot applied too much elevator back pressure in the landing flare, and the instructor stated “power.” Subsequently, the student pilot applied full power to go-around, instead of a “slight amount of power” which was what the flight instructor expected. After the application of full power, the airplane drifted beyond the right side of the runway, was near the aerodynamic stall speed, and was approaching trees ahead. The flight instructor reported that she “eventually” was able to take the flight controls, where she reduced power to idle, lowered the nose of the airplane, and landed in a down sloping grass area beyond the end of the runway. During the runway excursion, the airplane impacted trees, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. Neither pilot reported any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation with the airplane.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (VFR go-around)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Instructor/check pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › (general) › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Incorrect use/operation
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Student/instructed pilot
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,372 hours in all; 37 in the last 90 days; 16 in the last 30 days; 1,265 as pilot in command; 975 on instruments
- Last flight review: April 7, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 64 hours in all; 17 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 4 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 14, 2021
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Clearview Flying Club INC
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 14, 1,840 ft by 30 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 10 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 4:15 pm from DMW, 8 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KDMW 062015Z AUTO 16010G17KT 10SM CLR 31/09 A3003 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on December 1, 2022. 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 | Flight Instructor Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Memo for Record (Student Pilot Statement) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Photo Array | PDF, 4 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.