Cessna 172C accident near Block Island, Rhode Island, June 23, 1996
On June 23, 1996 at about 11:35 pm local time, a Cessna 172C, registered N1665Y, was substantially damaged in an accident near Block Island, Rhode Island (Block Island State airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's inadequate preflight, by failing to remove the control lock and checking the flight controls before takeoff, and his failure to abort the takeoff in a timely manner, which resulted in an overrun, an encounter with brush, and a subsequent nose over of the airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 23, 1996 · about 11:35 pm local time
- Place
- Block Island, Rhode Island · Block Island State
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172C · all 172Cs on the register
- Registration
- N1665Y · no longer on the register · serial 17249365
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot conducted a preflight inspection, then began his planned departure. During the takeoff roll, the control wheel would not move aft, and the airplane continue off the departure end of the runway. During the runway overrun, the pilot attempted to select a path of minimum obstruction ahead. Subsequently, the airplane encountered brush and came to rest inverted. Postaccident examination of the airplane, revealed the control lock was installed. When questioned about the installed control lock, the pilot stated, 'that would explain it.'
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: 667 hours in all; 511 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,250 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300-D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BID at 11:35 pm
- Destination: HFD Hartford CT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 2,501 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:54 pm from BID
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.