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CESSNA 172 S accident at Gaithersburg, MD, 21 Aug 2025
On August 21, 2025, a CESSNA 172 S operated by WIFA (WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT ACADEMY) LLC was involved in an aviation accident near Gaithersburg, MD. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The flight instructor’s distraction during landing, which resulted in a long landing and subsequent runway excursion. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 16 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Probable cause
The flight instructor’s distraction during landing, which resulted in a long landing and subsequent runway excursion.
— NTSB Determination
Contributing factors
Instructor/check pilot
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 21 Aug 2025 CESSNA 172 S accident near Gaithersburg, MD?
The flight instructor’s distraction during landing, which resulted in a long landing and subsequent runway excursion.
Were there any fatalities in the 21 Aug 2025 CESSNA 172 S accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 21 Aug 2025 involved a CESSNA 172 S, operated by WIFA (WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT ACADEMY) LLC, at Gaithersburg, MD.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The flight instructor’s distraction during landing, which resulted in a long landing and subsequent runway excursion.
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