Accident
On January 4, 2026, at 1504 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172N, registration N9360E, was substantially damaged during a landing attempt at Provincetown Municipal Airport (PVC), Provincetown, Massachusetts. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight, owned and operated by a flying club based at Taunton Municipal Airport (TAN), Taunton, Massachusetts.
Flight History
According to ADS-B track data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration, the airplane departed from runway 30 at TAN at 1406 and proceeded toward PVC. At about 1430, the pilot advised over PVC's Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) that he was inbound to runway 7 for a full stop landing. The pilot was informed that the airport was closed for snow removal but would reopen in about 15 minutes. The pilot acknowledged and began maneuvering. The ADS-B track then showed the airplane flying toward Marshfield Municipal Airport (GHG). Data was lost at 1447 as the airplane approached runway 24 at GHG and resumed at 1450 as it climbed away.
ADS-B Data
The airplane then headed back toward PVC. Around 1500, the pilot stated on the CTAF that he was inbound to land on runway 25. No further communications were heard. The ADS-B data track was interrupted about 600 ft before the runway 25 threshold, with the last data point showing barometric altitude 0 ft and groundspeed 63 knots. The track resumed when the airplane was over the runway after altitude fluctuated to 75 ft, about 1,500 ft from the threshold. The last data point showed 75 ft altitude and 80 knots groundspeed, located about 50 ft before initial impact marks on the runway.
Runway Examination
A surveillance camera captured the airplane crossing the runway threshold at low altitude, then slightly climbing and exiting the frame. Another camera showed it in a slight climb before a sudden descent. The airplane impacted the runway, bounced, contacted again, and slid to a stop. The windsock indicated a crosswind from the northwest (right side of the runway). Postaccident examination revealed impact marks 2,020 ft from the runway 25 threshold, 25 ft left of centerline. The marks included impressions consistent with the three landing gear, perpendicular slashes consistent with propeller strikes, and abrasion from the underside of the fuselage. A separate ground scar 18 ft right of the nose gear impact was consistent with right wingtip contact. A second set of impact and skid signatures was located 2,450 ft from the threshold, 15 ft left of centerline. The majority of the airplane came to rest 2,720 ft from the threshold, just beyond taxiway C, with the empennage overhanging the right side of the runway. A postimpact fire damaged much of the central portion of the airplane.
Aircraft Examination
The right wing was partially attached, with the strut intact. The right wing was displaced upward from midspan to the tip; the wingtip composite was fractured with scraping consistent with runway contact. The right flap was retracted. The right fuel tank was intact with several gallons of aviation fuel. The left wing and flap were consumed by fire; the left fuel tank was breached. Control cable continuity for ailerons, elevator, and rudder was established. The elevator trim actuator measured 5° toward nose down. The engine remained attached; the crankshaft rotated 720° with thumb compression and valve action observed on all cylinders. Cylinder borescope showed no valve discrepancies; piston faces had normal combustion deposits. The two-blade metal propeller remained attached; the spinner was displaced upward with abrasion on the bottom. One blade was twisted with leading edge gouging, scoring, chordwise scratching, and tip curling; the other had tip curling and chordwise scratching.