Cessna 172S accident near Everett, Washington, March 23, 2021
On March 23, 2021 at about 4:00 pm local time, a 2003 Cessna 172S, registered N2164Z, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Everett, Washington (Snohomish County (Paine Fld) airport). It was a personal 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
A total loss of engine power during climb, for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 23, 2021 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Everett, Washington · Snohomish County (Paine Fld) · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172S, built 2003 · all 172Ss on the register
- Registration
- N2164Z · no longer on the register · serial 172S9533
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff, at an altitude of about 100 ft above ground level, the engine began to sputter. The pilot initiated a left turn, to land on the smaller parallel runway to the east. During the turn, the engine lost all power, and the pilot was unable to maintain altitude. The airplane collided with trees and came to rest about 500 ft east of the runway. A postaccident examination of the airframe, engine, and fuel system revealed no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of power was not determined.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 393 hours in all; 90 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 360 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 11, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,159 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 8, 2020; 21 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-L2A (piston); 4,477 hours total
- Operator: Boeing Employees Flying Association INC
The flight
- Destination: KYKM Yakima WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 16R, 9,010 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,300 ft; scat at 500 ft
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.48 inHg
- Observation at 9:18 am from KPAE, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): SPECI KPAE 231618Z 27003KT 10SM SCT005 OVC023 06/04 A3048 RMK AO2 T00560039=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
10 documents, released by the NTSB on September 15, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Telephone Interview with Kevin Yarnell | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Airframe and Engine Exam | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Fuel System Components Exam | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Fuel Pump Exam | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Evidence Control Form Fuel System | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 10 | Photo Array | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N2164Z the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.