Cessna 172L accident near Turner, Maine, March 14, 2004
On March 14, 2004 at about 9:05 pm local time, a Cessna 172L, registered N7872G, was substantially damaged in an accident near Turner, Maine (Twitchell Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's misjudgment of speed/distance and the delayed aborted landing. A factor in this accident was the tail wind condition.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 14, 2004 · about 9:05 pm local time
- Place
- Turner, Maine · Twitchell Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172L · all 172Ls on the register
- Registration
- N7872G · registry record · serial 17259572
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The student pilot reported that he was attempting to land on runway 30, a 2,104-foot long, 50-foot wide, asphalt runway. His first approach was high, and resulted in a go-around. On the second approach, the airplane touched down further down the runway then he had planned. The airplane bounced and the student pilot initiated an aborted landing. The airplane began to climb normally; however, it struck the tops of trees, which were located beyond the departure end of the runway. A witness who observed the airplane stated that after the airplane bounced back in the air, the pilot lowered the nose and appeared to be attempting to land again. The airplane disappeared from his view and was followed by the sound of increasing engine power. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. Winds reported at an airport located about 9 miles south of the accident site, about the time of the accident, were from 150 degrees at 9 knots, with 15 knot gusts.
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
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 134 hours in all; 93 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,217 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AUG Augusta ME
- Destination: 3B5 Turner ME
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 30, 2,104 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 9 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 34°F (1°C), dew point 9°F (-13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observation at 8:55 pm from LEW, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
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.