Cessna 172K accident near Barnstable, Massachusetts, July 27, 2022
On July 27, 2022 at about 6:31 pm local time, a 1970 Cessna 172K, registered N7437G, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Barnstable, Massachusetts (Cape Cod Airfield). It was a personal 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
The pilot’s failure to attain a proper touchdown point, which resulted in a runway overrun in gusting wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 27, 2022 · about 6:31 pm local time
- Place
- Barnstable, Massachusetts · Cape Cod Airfield · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172K, built 1970 · all 172Ks on the register
- Registration
- N7437G · no longer on the register · serial 17259137
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Prior to landing, the pilot obtained a weather report, which included wind from 190° at 10 knots. The first attempt to land on runway 23 “felt high” and the pilot elected to perform a go-around maneuver. He landed “long” during the subsequent landing and was unable to slow the airplane before it overran the end of the runway. He stated that he was unable to perform a go-around maneuver due to trees at the departure end of the runway. The airplane came to rest against trees, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The wind reported at an airport about 6 nm east around the time of the accident was 170° at 7 knots gusting to 16 knots.
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
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Landing area overshoot during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Response/compensation
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 29,060 hours in all; 1,110 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 2.9 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: December 27, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,649 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 25, 2021
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 2,665 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1B2 Edgartown MA at 6:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23, 2,035 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 7 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observation at 2:56 pm from HYA, 6 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KHYA 271856Z 17007G16KT 130V210 10SM CLR 27/14 A2989 RMK AO2 SLP123 T02720144
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on April 24, 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 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Weather Reports and Records | PDF, 1 page | 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.