Cessna 172N accident near Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, July 4, 2024
On July 4, 2024 at about 2:10 pm local time, a 1978 Cessna 172N, registered N739GV, was destroyed in an accident during approach (VFR pattern crosswind) near Lock Haven, Pennsylvania (William T Piper Mem airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The student pilot’s premature turn to the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern at low airspeed and altitude, resulting in a collision with trees and terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 4, 2024 · about 2:10 pm local time
- Place
- Lock Haven, Pennsylvania · William T Piper Mem · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172N, built 1978 · all 172Ns on the register
- Registration
- N739GV · registry record · serial 17270540
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The student pilot initiated a solo flight to a nearby airport, likely to practice pattern work. Her flight instructor, who characterized her as an outstanding student, was not aware that she was flying that day, and he stated that this lack of coordination was contrary to what he had taught her. Flight track data showed that the pilot entered the traffic pattern on the downwind leg and proceeded to line up on final approach for the 3,799-ft-long runway. About halfway down the runway length, the airplane climbed and immediately turned left to enter the crosswind leg. A witness observed the airplane and reported that he thought that the airplane would not clear the trees in its direct flight path. He also stated that the airplane’s engine was running without hesitation; however, the airplane was “struggling.” The airplane collided with the top of a tree near stall speed (based on the groundspeeds reported in the flight track data), with flaps retracted, then collided with and came to rest against the base of another tree. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal evidence of any preexisting mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Although the student pilot had an instructor endorsement for solo flight, the accident flight was only her second solo flight. Based on the available evidence, had she established an appropriate climb airspeed and altitude on the upwind leg of the traffic pattern before turning crosswind, the accident likely would not have occurred.
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
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during approach (VFR pattern crosswind) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Student/instructed pilot
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 27 hours in all; 27 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 1 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,678.0 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 8, 2024
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4M (piston); 2,393 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Quarter To Two Flying Club INC
The flight
- Departed from: IPT Williamsport PA at 1:51 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 9, 3,799 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,100 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 9:54 am from KIPT, 23 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KIPT 041354Z 00000KT 10SM OVC031 25/19 A2995 RMK AO2 SLP137 T02500189
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 7 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Main Wreckage (NTSB Photo)
Photograph 2 – Main Wreckage (NTSB Photo)
Photograph 3 – Empennage (NTSB Photo)
Photograph 4 – Left Wing Section (NTSB Photo)
Photograph 5 – Engine and Propeller (NTSB Photo)
Photograph 6 – Right Elevator (NTSB Photo)
Photograph 7 – Sample of Angular-cut Tree Branch (NTSB Photo)The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
17 documents, released by the NTSB on August 20, 2025. 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.
Other NTSB records under N739GV the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.