Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing on a highway, which resulted in an impact with terrain and subsequent nose over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, he initiated a landing on a highway near a remote town for lunch. After touchdown, the airplane veered left, and the pilot applied full right rudder control input, but the airplane exited the roadway surface and impacted terrain. The airplane nosed over, and the right-wing lift strut and empennage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR21LA230 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 12, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Fields, Oregon
- Nearest airport
- (None)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N20406
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1972
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
Other records under this N-number
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.