Cessna 172 accident near Oxford, Connecticut, November 6, 2025
On November 6, 2025 at about 8:49 pm local time, a 1979 Cessna 172, registered N34LC, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Oxford, Connecticut (Waterbury-Oxford 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
The pilot’s failure to compensate for gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in a loss of control of the airplane and subsequent collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 6, 2025 · about 8:49 pm local time
- Place
- Oxford, Connecticut · Waterbury-Oxford · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 N, built 1979 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N34LC · registry record · serial 17272203
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice traffic pattern operations with a simulated power off, 180-degree turning approach to land. While turning toward final approach, the pilot stated that the left wing began to rise as the result of a crosswind gust. The pilot was unable to stop the right turn, which continued until airplane impacted the ground. The airplane then became airborne again before it came to a rest in tall grass and bushes east of the runway. The airplane’s wings and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Response/compensation
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Response/compensation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 272 hours in all; 161 in this make and model; 26.5 in the last 90 days; 11.8 in the last 30 days; 205 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 27, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,294 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 23, 2025; 23 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A4M (piston); 5,556 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DXR Danbury CT at 7:58 pm
- Destination: DXR Danbury CT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 5,801 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 6 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 3:56 pm from OXC
Weather report (METAR): METAR KOXC 062056Z VRB06G15KT 10SM SCT060 07/M03 A3005 RMK AO2 SLP191 T00721028 53019 $=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 4 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Airplane at Rest in Hillside
Photograph 2 – Outboard Right Wing Leading Edge Damage with Brush
Photograph 3 – Left Wing Leading Edge Damage
Photograph 4 – Interior Paneling and Fuselage DamageThe 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
2 documents, released by the NTSB on January 9, 2026. 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, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Investigation Photographs | PDF, 5 pages · our copy | 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.