What happened
On January 4, 2026, a Cessna 172N, registration N9360E, was involved in a fatal accident near Provincetown, Massachusetts. The aircraft, operated by a flying club based at Taunton Municipal Airport (TAN), departed from runway 30 at 1406 eastern standard time.
At approximately 1430, the pilot notified the Provincetown Municipal Airport (PVC) Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) that they were inbound for a full stop landing on runway 7. The pilot was informed that the airport was temporarily closed for snow removal but would reopen in about 15 minutes. Following this, the aircraft's ADS-B track showed a diversion toward Marshfield Municipal Airport (GHG).
At approximately 1500, the pilot returned to the PVC CTAF to announce an approach for runway 25. ADS-B data indicated the aircraft was at a barometric altitude of 0 feet, 600 feet before the runway threshold, with a groundspeed of 63 knots. The track resumed at an altitude of 75 feet, 1,500 feet from the threshold. The final ADS-B data point recorded a groundspeed of 80 knots at an altitude of 75 feet, located approximately 50 feet before the impact marks on the runway.
Surveillance cameras at the airport captured the aircraft crossing the runway threshold at a low altitude, followed by a slight climb and a subsequent sudden descent. The aircraft impacted the runway, bounced, and struck the surface a second time before sliding to a stop. The impact marks on the runway were located 2,020 feet from the threshold, 25 feet left of the centerline, and included impressions from the landing gear, propeller strikes, and fuselage contact. A second set of impact signatures was found 2,450 feet from the threshold. The aircraft came to rest 2,720 feet from the threshold, and a post-impact fire damaged much of the central fuselage.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the Cessna 172N revealed the following:
- The right wing was partially attached to the fuselage, with the wingtip showing fractures and scraping consistent with runway contact.
- The right flap was retracted, and the right fuel tank remained intact, containing several gallons of fuel.
- The left wing and left fuel tank were consumed by the fire.
- The empennage separated from the fuselage due to fire, though control cable continuity for the elevator and rudder was established.
- The elevator trim actuator was found to be deflected 5° toward the nose-down position.
- The engine remained attached to the fuselage. Examination of the cylinders via borescope showed no discrepancies, and the pistons showed residue consistent with normal operation.
- The two-blade propeller remained attached to the crankshaft. One blade exhibited twisting, leading-edge gouging, and tip curling, while the other blade showed tip curling and chordwise scratching.