Cessna 172K accident near Columbia, California, January 23, 2025
On January 23, 2025 at about 11:15 pm local time, a 1969 Cessna 172K, registered N79910, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Columbia, California (Columbia 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
A partial 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
- January 23, 2025 · about 11:15 pm local time
- Place
- Columbia, California · Columbia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172K, built 1969 · all 172Ks on the register
- Registration
- N79910 · no longer on the register · serial 17258243
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that the airplane was too high on landing approach and he applied full power to initiate a go-around. Shortly thereafter, the engine rpm began to decrease. He verified that the mixture, throttle, and carburetor heat controls were all fully forward and confirmed that the fuel selector was set to both tanks. When he moved the throttle aft and forward, the engine briefly surged, and the rpm increased. As he searched for a suitable forced landing site, the engine then lost rpm again. With limited options, he made a 180° turn in an attempt to return to the runway. The airplane collided with trees and impacted the ground in a nose-down attitude. A postaccident examination revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction or failure. The reason for the partial loss of power could not be 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
- Unknown or undetermined during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 91 hours in all; 54 in this make and model; 14 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 25 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 17, 2025
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,799 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 9, 2025; 24.9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1O3 Acampo CA at 10:30 pm
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 17/3, 4,673 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 18°F (-8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.32 inHg
- Observation at 3:15 pm from KO22, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KO22 232315Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 19/M08 A3032 RMK A01
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on September 23, 2026. 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 | Onboard Image Recorder - Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 13 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Onboard Image Recorder - Specialist's Factual Report - ATTACHMENT1 - Tabular Data | data file | Download |
| 3 | Supplemental Investigative Material | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Record of Conversation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Record of Conversation from the FAA) | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | 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 N79910 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.