Probable Cause: The binding of the left flap due to improper maintenance.
Cessna 172
Picture of the Day: Flying By Mount Marcus Baker In a C172
Marshall Severson submitted this photo and note: “Flying by Mount Marcus Baker in South Central Alaska in a Cessna 172 at 10,000 feet.”
Questions from the Cockpit: Decoding Cessna Performance Charts for Grass Runway Landings
Justin, a student pilot in Florida, writes: I’ve been studying the performance charts in my Cessna 172’s POH and was surprised to see a note on the short field landing table that said to add 45% to the figures for landing on grass. Why do you need more landing distance on a soft field? Shouldn’t the surface friction slow the plane down more than on pavement?
Passenger’s Interference Contributes to Crash
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing and his inadequate communication to the pilot-rated passenger of her role during the flight.
Student’s Second Solo Proves Fatal
Probable Cause: The student pilot’s premature turn to the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern at low airspeed and altitude, resulting in a collision with trees and terrain.
Bad Math Leads to Forced Landing On A Beach
Probable Cause: The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane’s fuel quantity, which resulted in total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
New Video Analyzes Loss of Propeller In Flight
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s Air Safety Institute has released an Early Analysis video looking at a recent incident with a Cessna 172S that included the loss of the propeller in flight.
Questions from the Cockpit: System Evolution
George, a commercial pilot in Iowa, writes: In a recent column about the history of flight training, you said that while flight training hasn’t changed much over time, systems have become more complex. Don’t we really still have the same systems? Other than instruments, aren’t airplanes pretty much the same? We have powerplant, fuel, electrical, pitot-static systems…”
Picture of the Day: No Runway, No Problem
Chris Metscher submitted this photo and note: “Worked with Jack Brown’s Seaplane Base in Winter Haven, Florida, to get my seaplane rating. No runway, no problem, just pick a lake and land! What a blast and a return to good old stick and rudder flying. This is one of their 172s and one of their Cubs. What a ton of fun the week after the 2026 SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo.”