No fatalities

CESSNA 172R accident at Princeton, NJ, 9 Aug 2023

Princeton, NJ, United States

On August 9, 2023, a CESSNA 172R was involved in an aviation accident near Princeton, NJ. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the prevailing wind conditions during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent collision with trees. 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 compensation for the prevailing wind conditions during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent collision with trees.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Response/compensationPilot

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 9 Aug 2023 CESSNA 172R accident near Princeton, NJ?

The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the prevailing wind conditions during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent collision with trees.

Were there any fatalities in the 9 Aug 2023 CESSNA 172R accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 9 Aug 2023 involved a CESSNA 172R, at Princeton, NJ.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the prevailing wind conditions during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent collision with trees.