Cessna 172 accident near Billings, MT

On June 19, 2025, a Cessna 172 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Billings, MT. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.

Date
June 19, 2025
Place
Billings, MT
Aircraft
Cessna 172 · Airplane
Injuries
1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
Damage
Substantial
Position
45.635°N, 108.527°W
NTSB ID
20250619200353

NTSB summary

On June 19, 2025, at 1412 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172K airplane, N79306, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Billings, Montana. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. Preliminary ADS-B data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration showed that the airplane departed Ostlunds Airport, Billings, Montana at 1407 in a climbing left turn to the southeast. At 1411 the airplane overflew a private ranch and the flight track subsequently ended at 1412 about 230 ft southeast of the accident site. The airplane came to rest underneath a set of damaged power distribution lines on the floor of a coulee. The debris field was contained within about a 75 ft by 75 ft area. The first identified point of contact (FIPC) was a ground scar consistent with the leading edge of the left wing. Red colored glass fragments consistent with the left wingtip navigation light were noted at the outboard end of the ground scar. The main wreckage was upright, about 18 ft from the FIPC, and was oriented on an approximate heading of 200° magnetic, at an elevation of 3,770 ft mean sea level. Evidence of a postcrash fire was observed throughout the wreckage. All major components of the airframe, all primary flight controls, and the engine and propeller assembly were observed throughout the debris field. Flight control continuity was established on scene. The elevator trim was found to be in the neutral position, and flaps were observed in the fully retracted position. Both fuel tanks sustain

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