Flight Training Cessna 172S Flips During Takeoff at Westchester Airport

A flight-training aircraft overturned shortly after takeoff at Westchester County Airport near Harrison, New York, on May 18, 2026. The aircraft, a Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP registered as N5114Z, came to rest inverted on the runway at approximately 1:50 p.m. local time, according to reports from News 12 Westchester and the National Transportation Safety Board.

Two occupants were aboard the aircraft at the time of the accident. Both sustained minor injuries and were transported for medical evaluation. While local reports characterized the event as a minor crash, the NTSB preliminary report (ERA26LA209) classified the aircraft damage as substantial. Airport officials confirmed that the main runway remained open and operations were not significantly disrupted following the incident.

Investigation and Context

The Federal Aviation Administration and the NTSB have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident. A probable cause has not yet been determined. The aircraft was operated by a local flight school, a common use for the Cessna 172 series, which remains one of the most widely used training aircraft globally.

This incident follows other recent training-related mishaps involving the Cessna 172 model in New York. In March 2026, a Cessna 172N ditched in the Hudson River near the Newburgh–Beacon Bridge following engine trouble, and in late May 2026, another 172S experienced a catastrophic engine failure during a training flight, according to the Aviation Safety Network.