Cessna 172L accident near Clearwater, Florida, January 12, 2008
On January 12, 2008 at about 8:38 pm local time, a Cessna 172L, registered N7100Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Clearwater, Florida (St Petersburg-Clearwater Int'L airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering for approach to land. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's operation of the airplane above the design gross weight.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 12, 2008 · about 8:38 pm local time
- Place
- Clearwater, Florida · St Petersburg-Clearwater Int'L · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172L · all 172Ls on the register
- Registration
- N7100Q · no longer on the register · serial 17260400
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private-certificated pilot was on the return leg in the Cessna 172L airplane, and at the time of the accident, was operating the airplane 24 pounds above the design gross weight. When near the destination airport, air traffic control (ATC) advised the pilot to expect a left downwind for runway 22, which the pilot acknowledged. The flight proceeded towards the destination airport and the pilot was cleared to land on runway 22. The pilot entered what appeared to be the downwind leg for runway 22, but turned left onto final approach for runway 27, and was asked by the controller if he was lined up for runway 22. The pilot responded with, "zero zero quebec sorry about that." Witnesses and the controller noted an abrupt right turn, followed by the airplane stalling and impacting water short of the runway. Examination of the airplane and the flight controls revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The engine was started and operated normally.
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
- Abrupt maneuver during approach
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during approach defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Maximum weight › Capability exceeded
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 172 hours in all; 153 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 107 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,035.4 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2007; 235.4 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KVNC Venice FL
- Destination: PIE Clearwater FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 5,903 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 2,600 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 8:35 pm from PIE
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket 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.