No fatalities

CESSNA 172L accident at Cleveland, TX, 29 Jan 2023

Cleveland, TX, United States

On January 29, 2023, a CESSNA 172L operated by N/A was involved in an aviation accident near Cleveland, TX. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s decision to attempt the night flight under visual flight rules when instrument meteorological conditions prevailed resulting in the airplane striking trees while on final approach. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 17 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to attempt the night flight under visual flight rules when instrument meteorological conditions prevailed resulting in the airplane striking trees while on final approach. Contributing to the accident were the unserviceable runway lights at the destination airport.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

PilotDescent/approach/glide path — Not attained/maintainedContributed to outcome

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 29 Jan 2023 CESSNA 172L accident near Cleveland, TX?

The pilot’s decision to attempt the night flight under visual flight rules when instrument meteorological conditions prevailed resulting in the airplane striking trees while on final approach. Contributing to the accident were the unserviceable runway lights at the destination airport.

Were there any fatalities in the 29 Jan 2023 CESSNA 172L accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 29 Jan 2023 involved a CESSNA 172L, operated by N/A, at Cleveland, TX.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s decision to attempt the night flight under visual flight rules when instrument meteorological conditions prevailed resulting in the airplane striking trees while on final approach. Contributing to the accident were the unserviceable runway lights at the destination airport.