Cessna 172 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 6810 events recorded from 1974 to 2026.

6810

All Events

4223

Incidents

1048

Minor

542

Serious

960

Fatal (1802 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Sep 28, 2004 Houston, TX N189W Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a parked aircraft while taxiing. A contributing factor was the student pilot's anxiety attack.
Sep 22, 2004 Provo, UT N5338H Minor substantial the pilot's premature liftoff which resulted in failure to attain airspeed which resulted in a stall.
Sep 19, 2004 Mountain Home, ID N2650U Fatal (1) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from high terrain while maneuvering. High terrain was a factor.
Sep 18, 2004 Houstonia, MO N80237 Minor substantial The fatigue failure of the piston end of the connecting rod and the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the forced landing.
Sep 17, 2004 Kill Devil Hlls, NC N986AC Serious (1) substantial
An in-flight encounter with a downdraft on final approach, which resulted in a loss of control of the airplane and subsequent collision with the groun…

An in-flight encounter with a downdraft on final approach, which resulted in a loss of control of the airplane and subsequent collision with the ground.

Sep 15, 2004 Montgomery, AL N948SM Incident substantial The separation of a hydraulic line for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a hydraulic fluid leak and malfunction of the landing gear.
Sep 12, 2004 Wiscasset, ME N7422X Incident substantial The failure of the oil filter adapter seal, which resulted in a loss of oil pressure, and subsequent catastrophic engine failure, and forced landing.
Sep 10, 2004 Medina, OH N172WW Incident substantial The partial loss of engine power due to inadequate maintenance and by failure to comply with service instruction for low engine compression.
Sep 06, 2004 Mount Gilead, OH N809SP Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions which resulted in a collision with the runway. A factor was the crosswind.
Sep 05, 2004 Port Angeles, WA N5788T Minor substantial
The pilot's inadequate inflight decision by failing to refuel while en route, resulting in fuel exhaustion and the loss of power. Factors contributin…

The pilot's inadequate inflight decision by failing to refuel while en route, resulting in fuel exhaustion and the loss of power. Factors contributing to the accident included the fence and the ditch.

Sep 04, 2004 Gary, IN N2355E Incident substantial
The failure of the nose wheel for undetermined reasons. A factor associated with the accident was the student pilot's failure to properly flare the a…

The failure of the nose wheel for undetermined reasons. A factor associated with the accident was the student pilot's failure to properly flare the airplane.

Sep 02, 2004 Willits, CA N897TW Minor destroyed
the pilot's inadvertent descent and controlled flight into obstacles while maneuvering to land. Contributing factors were the dark, nighttime conditi…

the pilot's inadvertent descent and controlled flight into obstacles while maneuvering to land. Contributing factors were the dark, nighttime condition, which impaired the pilot's visual perceptions, and the pilot's failure to obtain a pertinent Notice to Airman regarding inoperative runway lights.

Aug 29, 2004 Erie, CO N2099J Incident substantial
the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in a hard landing. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot induced oscillation…

the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in a hard landing. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot induced oscillation and the high approach airspeed.

Aug 28, 2004 Leakey, TX N2477E Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain. A contributing factor was the high density altitude.
Aug 28, 2004 Atlanta, GA N26486 Minor substantial The intentional interuption of the flight controls in flight that resulted in a uncontrolled descent and collision with a fence.
Aug 22, 2004 Decorah, IA N5410T Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot's intentional operation of the airplane with a defective magneto, his failure to abort the takeoff due to degraded aircraft performance, and…

The pilot's intentional operation of the airplane with a defective magneto, his failure to abort the takeoff due to degraded aircraft performance, and his failure to obtain or maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall/spin and subsequent impact with the ground. Contributing factors were the improper installation of the magneto's contact points by unknown entities due to undertorque of the mounting screws which led to the loss of engine power.

Aug 19, 2004 Carlsbad, NM N849SP Incident substantial the student pilot's inadequate flare resulting in a hard landing. A contributing factor was the tailwind conditions.
Aug 18, 2004 New Braunfels, TX N739AM Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A contributing factor was the high wind condition.
Aug 15, 2004 Yuba City, CA C-GTKX Fatal (1) destroyed the pilot's failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall.
Aug 13, 2004 Honolulu, HI N3554Y Incident substantial
the student pilot's misjudged flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Also causal was the student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing a…

the student pilot's misjudged flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Also causal was the student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and pilot induced porpoise and failure to maintain directional control on the landing roll, which resulted in the nose gear collapsing.

Aug 13, 2004 Spanish Fork, UT N6249K Serious (4) destroyed
the pilot's improper inflight planning and decision making, and his failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors were his intentional l…

the pilot's improper inflight planning and decision making, and his failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors were his intentional low altitude flight and maneuvering, the aircraft's climb performance being exceeded, and the trees.

Aug 12, 2004 Brownville Junc, ME N12959 Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the airplane's controlled flight into rising terrain.…

The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the airplane's controlled flight into rising terrain. Factors included the instrument meteorological conditions and the rising terrain.

Aug 12, 2004 Webster, WI N3599F Fatal (1) destroyed The high velocity impact with terrain for undetermined reasons.
Aug 12, 2004 Miami, FL N21063 Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain control while landing with a crosswind and gusting wind conditions, which resulted in the airplane veering off the run…

The pilot's failure to maintain control while landing with a crosswind and gusting wind conditions, which resulted in the airplane veering off the runway and incurring damage.

Aug 09, 2004 Monarch Crest, CO N911JR Fatal (2) destroyed
the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall, and his decision to conduct flight beyond the performance capability of the aircra…

the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall, and his decision to conduct flight beyond the performance capability of the aircraft. A contributing factor was the high density altitude, and an inadvertent stall.

Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.
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