No fatalities

CESSNA 172N accident at Bandera, WA, 18 Oct 2023

Bandera, WA, United States

On October 18, 2023, a CESSNA 172N operated by James Mitchell was involved in an aviation accident near Bandera, WA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s decision to land at a closed water-soaked grass runway, which resulted in a runway excursion. 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 decision to land at a closed water-soaked grass runway, which resulted in a runway excursion.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Effect on equipmentPilotSurface speed/braking — Not attained/maintained

All Cessna 172 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 18 Oct 2023 CESSNA 172N accident near Bandera, WA?

The pilot’s decision to land at a closed water-soaked grass runway, which resulted in a runway excursion.

Were there any fatalities in the 18 Oct 2023 CESSNA 172N accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 18 Oct 2023 involved a CESSNA 172N, operated by James Mitchell, at Bandera, WA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot’s decision to land at a closed water-soaked grass runway, which resulted in a runway excursion.