Cessna 172M accident near Astoria, Oregon, April 29, 2007
On April 29, 2007 at about 7:50 pm local time, a Cessna 172M, registered N1911V, was substantially damaged in an accident near Astoria, Oregon (Astoria Regional airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The student pilot's failure to adequately correct for changing wind conditions, leading to a loss of directional control during the takeoff ground roll. Factors include wet, soft terrain along the side of the runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 29, 2007 · about 7:50 pm local time
- Place
- Astoria, Oregon · Astoria Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172M · all 172Ms on the register
- Registration
- N1911V · registry record · serial 17263791
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the takeoff roll in a 30 degree crosswind of about 12 knots, the aircraft passed on the leeward side of a number of hangars of varying size. As the aircraft passed through the area where the wind was blocked by the individual hangars into areas where the wind was not blocked, the student pilot failed to adequately compensate for the resultant change in wind velocity and direction. As the student pilot continued the takeoff, the aircraft departed the side of the runway, impacted a taxiway exit sign, and entered into an area of wet, soft ground. The student pilot then pulled the power to idle and applied "full brakes." The nose gear then dug into the terrain and ultimately collapsed. There were no anomalies found in the rudder or nose wheel steering systems.
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: 67 hours in all; 65 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 11 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 1, 2007
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-D2G (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Gorge Winds Aviation, Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: KAST Astoria OR
- Destination: KKLS Kelso WA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 31, 4,990 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 7:45 pm from KAST
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.