Cessna 172P accident near Naples, Florida, November 8, 1997
On November 8, 1997 at about 4:35 pm local time, a Cessna 172P, registered N97074, was substantially damaged in an accident near Naples, Florida (Naples Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 8, 1997 · about 4:35 pm local time
- Place
- Naples, Florida · Naples Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172P · all 172Ps on the register
- Registration
- N97074 · no longer on the register · serial 17276151
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated he had a loss of engine power after takeoff. The airplane was 200 above the ground, and not able to return to the airport, so the pilot chose a landing spot about 1/2 mile from the runway. Upon landing, the aircraft impacted trees and was substantially damaged. Examination of the aircraft and engine showed no evidence of pre-crash anomalies. The engine was operated to full power during a test run.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 220 hours in all; 50 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 190 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 1, 1996
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,490 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, October 1, 1997; 37 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-D2J (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: APF at 11:35 am
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 32, 5,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 4:57 pm from APF, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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.