Cessna 172 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 6810 events recorded from 1974 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 17, 2023 | Independence, OR | N3992L | Fatal (3) | destroyed |
The pilot’s decision to continue flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in collision with an obsta…The pilot’s decision to continue flight under visual flight rules into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in collision with an obstacle while landing. |
| Dec 17, 2023 | Stephenville, TX | N4501E | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing that resulted in an impact with terrain. |
| Dec 12, 2023 | Kapolei, HI | N172CN | Incident | substantial | The first pilot’s failure to maintain a stabilized approach, in gusty crosswind conditions, in an environment favoring wake turbulence. |
| Dec 11, 2023 | Newport News, VA | N733QJ | Incident | substantial | An inflight collision with a bird during initial climb. |
| Dec 08, 2023 | Miami, FL | N955PT | Incident | substantial |
The business jet flight crew’s failure to appropriately position their airplane to mitigate the impact of their extended duration, high-power engine r…The business jet flight crew’s failure to appropriately position their airplane to mitigate the impact of their extended duration, high-power engine run, and their failure to adequately communicate these factors to air traffic control, which resulted in the accident airplane encountering their jet blast while taxiing. |
| Dec 07, 2023 | Zephyrhills, FL | N906KS | Serious (2) | substantial | An aerodynamic stall from which the pilots did not recover while maneuvering in the airport traffic pattern. |
| Nov 29, 2023 | Watsonville, CA | N6212F | Incident | substantial | An in-flight collision with a bird while in the initial climb. |
| Nov 27, 2023 | Las Cruces, NM | N5495K | Incident | substantial | An encounter with a downdraft during an approach to land, which resulted in a hard landing. |
| Nov 26, 2023 | Vera Cruz, OF | PT-OOB | Minor | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Nov 20, 2023 | Blairstown, NJ | N739MK | Incident | substantial |
The student pilot’s improper control inputs and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in a loss of control during an attempt…The student pilot’s improper control inputs and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in a loss of control during an attempted go-around. |
| Nov 17, 2023 | Dinslaken, GE | D-EDJL | Fatal (1) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Nov 14, 2023 | Provo, UT | N3971L | Fatal (2) | substantial |
The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a chandelle maneuver, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and descent into…The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a chandelle maneuver, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and descent into trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to maneuver into a canyon and rising terrain for unknown reasons and his inadequate performance planning. |
| Nov 10, 2023 | Orlando, FL | N91PF | Minor | substantial | A partial loss of engine power during initial climb after takeoff for undetermined reasons. |
| Oct 31, 2023 | Pembroke Pines, FL | N140FS | Serious (1) | substantial |
The pilot’s loss of airplane control and descent into terrain due to spatial disorientation during a solo night cross country flight. Contributing to …The pilot’s loss of airplane control and descent into terrain due to spatial disorientation during a solo night cross country flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s self-reported fatigue. |
| Oct 27, 2023 | Long Beach, CA | N24CV | Incident | — |
The local controller’s poor judgment in prioritization of their ground traffic ahead of their airborne traffic, that became a distraction and led to a…The local controller’s poor judgment in prioritization of their ground traffic ahead of their airborne traffic, that became a distraction and led to a loss of situational awareness resulting in a near midair collision. Contributing to the incident was the controller in charge’s ineffective oversight. |
| Oct 21, 2023 | Richmond, VA | N7716G | Incident | substantial | The loss of engine power due to a restriction of fuel flow as a result of a fractured float bracket in the carburetor. |
| Oct 21, 2023 | Orangeburg, SC | N7607T | Incident | substantial |
The student pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from a fuel truck while taxiing. Also contributing was the flight instructor’s inadequate m…The student pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from a fuel truck while taxiing. Also contributing was the flight instructor’s inadequate monitoring of the student pilot. |
| Oct 20, 2023 | Wichita, KS | N1413Y | Incident | substantial |
The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection and fuel planning and improper in-flight decision-making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power d…The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection and fuel planning and improper in-flight decision-making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. |
| Oct 19, 2023 | Barrancabermeja, OF | HK-2465G | Fatal (1) | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Oct 18, 2023 | Bandera, WA | N734LJ | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s decision to land at a closed water-soaked grass runway, which resulted in a runway excursion. |
| Oct 08, 2023 | Merriton, AS | VH-RSB | Fatal (2) | unk | Investigation pending |
| Oct 06, 2023 | Riesel, TX | N2444H | Incident | substantial | An in-flight collision with a bird. |
| Oct 02, 2023 | Arlington, TX | N397ES | Minor | substantial |
A reported loss of engine power during the landing approach due to undetermined reasons, which resulted in a forced landing and collision with a fence…A reported loss of engine power during the landing approach due to undetermined reasons, which resulted in a forced landing and collision with a fence. |
| Sep 30, 2023 | Greensboro, GA | N9522L | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a light pole during taxi. |
| Sep 30, 2023 | UK, OF | D-EDDH | Fatal (1) | unk | Investigation pending |