No fatalities

CESSNA 172 S accident at Sanford, NC, 27 Nov 2020

Sanford, NC, United States

On November 27, 2020, a CESSNA 172 S operated by Wings of Carolina Flying Club was involved in an aviation accident near Sanford, NC. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 13 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Decision related to conditionDirectional control — Not attained/maintained

All Cessna 172 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 27 Nov 2020 CESSNA 172 S accident near Sanford, NC?

The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain.

Were there any fatalities in the 27 Nov 2020 CESSNA 172 S accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 27 Nov 2020 involved a CESSNA 172 S, operated by Wings of Carolina Flying Club, at Sanford, NC.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain.