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Cessna 172M accident at Coatesville, PA, 23 May 1992 (N733PG)

Coatesville, PA, US

On May 23, 1992, a Cessna 172M (registration N733PG) operated by Civil Air Patrol was involved in an aviation accident near Coatesville, PA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PASSENGERS INTERFERENCE WITH THE CONTROL YOKE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE ENTERING AN UNUSUAL ATTITUDE, AND THE PILOT OVERSTRESSING THE WINGS DURING THE RECOVERY. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

THE PASSENGERS INTERFERENCE WITH THE CONTROL YOKE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE ENTERING AN UNUSUAL ATTITUDE, AND THE PILOT OVERSTRESSING THE WINGS DURING THE RECOVERY.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE PILOT WAS DEMONSTRATING A STALL, WITH FLAPS EXTENDED, TO THE PASSENGER WHO ABRUPTLY PUSHED THE CONTROL YOKE FORWARD. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE AIRPLANE WENT BEYOND VERTICAL AND DESCENDED FROM 3700 TO 1200 FT MSL BEFORE HE RECOVERED. THE PILOT LANDED SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. POST EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED, THE FLAPS, AND WINGS WERE SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 23 May 1992 Cessna 172M accident near Coatesville, PA?

THE PILOT WAS DEMONSTRATING A STALL, WITH FLAPS EXTENDED, TO THE PASSENGER WHO ABRUPTLY PUSHED THE CONTROL YOKE FORWARD. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE AIRPLANE WENT BEYOND VERTICAL AND DESCENDED FROM 3700 TO 1200 FT MSL BEFORE HE RECOVERED. THE PILOT LANDED SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. POST EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED,…

Were there any fatalities in the 23 May 1992 Cessna 172M accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 23 May 1992 involved a Cessna 172M, registration N733PG, operated by Civil Air Patrol, at Coatesville, PA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PASSENGERS INTERFERENCE WITH THE CONTROL YOKE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE ENTERING AN UNUSUAL ATTITUDE, AND THE PILOT OVERSTRESSING THE WINGS DURING THE RECOVERY.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X14605. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.