Cessna 170A accident near El Cajon, California, June 27, 2026
On June 27, 2026 at about 11:45 pm local time, a 1951 Cessna 170A, registered N1607D, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near El Cajon, California (Gillespie Field). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 12, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 27, 2026 · about 11:45 pm local time · cases in 2026
- Place
- El Cajon, California · Gillespie Field · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 170A, built 1951 · all 170As on the register
- Registration
- N1607D · registry record · serial 20249
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 3, 2026
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: SEE El Cajon CA at 10:30 pm
- Destination: SEE El Cajon CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 4,145 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 2:00 pm from KSEE
Weather report (METAR): METAR KSEE 272047Z 23009KT 10SM SKC 26/14 A2996
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N1607D the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N1607D on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Cessna 170 2,085 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Cessna 72,683 aircraft on the register
- Gillespie Field · nearest airport
- Gillespie Field · departed from
- Accidents and incidents in California 9,069 since 1982 · 1,087 in the last ten years
- California 27,673 aircraft registered
- Other NTSB records under N1607D 1 records · the number may have belonged to another aircraft at the time
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/WPR26LA239.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.