No fatalities

CESSNA 172 accident at Johnson City, TN, 12 May 2021

Johnson City, TN, United States

On May 12, 2021, a CESSNA 172 was involved in an aviation accident near Johnson City, TN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot’s excessive airspeed during the landing approach and his delayed remedial action, which resulted in the airplane striking obstacles during an aborted landing. Contributing was the pilot’s decision to land with a tailwind. 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 student pilot’s excessive airspeed during the landing approach and his delayed remedial action, which resulted in the airplane striking obstacles during an aborted landing. Contributing was the pilot’s decision to land with a tailwind.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

PilotAirspeed — Not attained/maintainedDecision related to condition

All Cessna 172 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 12 May 2021 CESSNA 172 accident near Johnson City, TN?

The student pilot’s excessive airspeed during the landing approach and his delayed remedial action, which resulted in the airplane striking obstacles during an aborted landing. Contributing was the pilot’s decision to land with a tailwind.

Were there any fatalities in the 12 May 2021 CESSNA 172 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 12 May 2021 involved a CESSNA 172, at Johnson City, TN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The student pilot’s excessive airspeed during the landing approach and his delayed remedial action, which resulted in the airplane striking obstacles during an aborted landing. Contributing was the pilot’s decision to land with a tailwind.