Cessna 172 accident near Hayden, Idaho, September 26, 2025
On September 26, 2025 at about 9:53 pm local time, a 1956 Cessna 172, registered N7373A, was substantially damaged in an accident during taxi (to runway) near Hayden, Idaho (Coeur D'Alene/Pappy Boyington 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 inability to maintain control of the airplane during a sudden wind gust resulting in the airplane coming to rest inverted.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 26, 2025 · about 9:53 pm local time
- Place
- Hayden, Idaho · Coeur D'Alene/Pappy Boyington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172, built 1956 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N7373A · registry record · serial 29473
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The student pilot had just completed a series of takeoffs and landings with his flight instructor in preparation for a solo flight. After landing, the instructor exited the airplane and the student then taxied to the assigned runway threshold and held short of the runway, per the tower controller’s instructions. While stationary on the taxiway, a strong wind gust lifted the airplane’s tail and right wing. The student maintained pressure on the brake pedals and held the control yoke fully aft. However, the airplane nosed over, and came to rest inverted on the taxiway. The student noted that the gust was significantly stronger than the prevailing winds. As a result of the impact, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, rudder, and vertical stabilizer. The student pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The reported wind around the time of the accident was 13 kts out of the southwest, gusting to 17 kts. The airplane was oriented and subjected to a quartering tailwind.
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
- Other weather encounter during taxi (to runway)
- Loss of control on ground during taxi (to runway) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on equipment
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Ability to respond/compensate
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Student/instructed pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 69 hours in all; 69 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 13 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,303.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 5, 2025
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-300 SER (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KCOE Hayden ID at 9:55 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 13 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 2:55 pm from KCOE
Weather report (METAR): METAR KCOE 262056Z AUTO 23013G17KT 10SM CLR 20/M02 A3012 RMK AO2 SLP208 6//// T02001017 56006 PNO $=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on December 4, 2025. 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 | WPR25LA297_PILOT/OPERATOR Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | WPR25LA297_PHOTOS | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 3 | WPR25LA297 - Airport Camera Video | zip file | Download |
| 4 | Pilot's Statement | 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.
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.