Cessna 172M accident near Crystal River, Florida, April 22, 2026
On April 22, 2026 at about 3:00 pm local time, a 1975 Cessna 172M, registered N868SA, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Crystal River, Florida (Crystal River/Davis Fld airport). It was a business 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 NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 22, 2026 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Crystal River, Florida · Crystal River/Davis Fld · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172M, built 1975 · all 172Ms on the register
- Registration
- N868SA · registry record · serial 17266439
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
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 takeoff
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,925 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 14, 2025
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Crystal Aero Group
The flight
- Runway 36, 2,666 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 2:00 pm from KCGC
Weather report (METAR): METAR KCGC 221755Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM BKN060 26/11 A3020 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
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.