No fatalities

Cessna 172 M accident at Colchester, IL, 15 May 2020

Colchester, IL, United States

On May 15, 2020, a Cessna 172 M was involved in an aviation accident near Colchester, IL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate preflight of the fuel quantity which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation during cruise flight. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight of the fuel quantity which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation during cruise flight.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotFluid level

Other contributing factors

Contributed to outcome

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 15 May 2020 Cessna 172 M accident near Colchester, IL?

The pilot's inadequate preflight of the fuel quantity which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation during cruise flight.

Were there any fatalities in the 15 May 2020 Cessna 172 M accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 15 May 2020 involved a Cessna 172 M, at Colchester, IL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's inadequate preflight of the fuel quantity which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation during cruise flight.