# NTSB Accident ERA17LA261
> **CESSNA 172** · 2017-07-30 · Danbury, CT, USA · FATL
## Event
- **NTSB number:** ERA17LA261
- **Event ID:** 20170731X62530
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 2017-07-30
- **Location:** Danbury, CT, USA
- **Coordinates:** 41.368057, -73.493057
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** FATL
- **Fatal:** 1
- **Serious:** 2
- **Minor:** 0
- **Uninjured:** 0
- **Total aboard:** 3
## Aircraft
- **Make:** CESSNA
- **Model:** 172
- **Registration:** N612DF
- **FAR Part:** 091
- **Engines:** 1
- **Damage:** SUBS
## Conditions
- **Light:** DAYL
- **Weather:** VMC
## Probable cause

The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to operate the airplane above its maximum gross weight, which likely reduced its takeoff performance.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=ERA17LA261) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*