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
Apr 29, 1994 HILLSBORO, OR N53161 Incident substantial POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION AND UNCONTROLLED PORPOISE.
Apr 22, 1994 SEDONA, AZ N2946E Incident substantial THE CFI'S IMPROPER LEVEL OFF DURING LANDING. THE TAILWIND WAS A FACTOR.
Apr 20, 1994 HOWES, SD N46474 Incident substantial THE DIVERTED ATTENTION OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE.
Apr 17, 1994 SPARTANBURG, SC N711GT Incident substantial The inadequate visual lookout by the pilot of Cessna 172K, N711GT.
Apr 17, 1994 ARLINGTON, CA N5709R Incident substantial
FAILURE OF THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TO PROPERLY SUPERVISE THE STUDENT PILOT AND PERFORM THE APPROPRIATE REMEDIAL ACTION BEFORE THE AIRPLANE DES…

FAILURE OF THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TO PROPERLY SUPERVISE THE STUDENT PILOT AND PERFORM THE APPROPRIATE REMEDIAL ACTION BEFORE THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED TO AN ALTITUDE TOO LOW FOR RECOVERY. FACTORS WERE THE STUDENT PILOT'S HANDLING OF THE AIRPLANE WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.

Apr 16, 1994 COLVILLE, WA N3854Q Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN A PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT, AND HIS EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED AT THE POINT OF TOUCHDOWN. FACTORS INCLUDE THE STUDENT PILOT'S LACK…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN A PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT, AND HIS EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED AT THE POINT OF TOUCHDOWN. FACTORS INCLUDE THE STUDENT PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE, AND A RAVINE OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY.

Apr 15, 1994 TULSA, OK N63456 Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR WAS THE GUSTING CROSS WIND.
Apr 14, 1994 BARNWELL, SC N61990 Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FLARE PROPERLY WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING.
Apr 13, 1994 CRESCENT CITY, FL N8196G Incident substantial THE PILOT'S IMPROPER DESCENT RATE, AND THE CHECK PILOT'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION. THE GLASSY WATER CONDITION WAS A FACTOR.
Apr 11, 1994 EDINA, MO N4253L Incident destroyed
the pilot in commands' failure to obtain obstruction clearance from trees during a visual takeoff from a short, soft, wet field in instrument meteorol…

the pilot in commands' failure to obtain obstruction clearance from trees during a visual takeoff from a short, soft, wet field in instrument meteorological conditions. A factor was the pilot in commands' misjudgment of the takeoff climb performance of the airplane, which resulted in striking trees at the departure end of the field. A second factor was the operation of the airplane with a known defective wet compass, which resulted in the pilot's disorientation and led him to land in the unsuitable field.

Apr 07, 1994 CLARKSBURG, WV N739HC Incident substantial the pilot's selection of a downwind runway, and his inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. A factor was the gusting tailwind.
Mar 28, 1994 PARKLAND, FL N9786B Incident substantial
IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, AND FAILURE OF THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TO TAKE ADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION. A FACTOR RELATED TO T…

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, AND FAILURE OF THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TO TAKE ADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE SOFT/WET RUNWAY CONDITION.

Mar 26, 1994 BOCA RATON, FL N9781B Incident substantial
The failure of the aircraft operator to comply with engine manufacturers service bulletins which resulted in improper inspection of exhaust valves and…

The failure of the aircraft operator to comply with engine manufacturers service bulletins which resulted in improper inspection of exhaust valves and subsequent sticking of the no. 4 exhaust valve.

Mar 26, 1994 STUART, FL N6HV Incident substantial POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS WIND INFORMATION DISREGARDED BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND.
Mar 23, 1994 WHEELING, IL N97650 Incident substantial the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor associated with the accident was the crosswind.
Mar 18, 1994 BUENA VISTA, CO N7876G Incident substantial THE IMPROPER SUPERVISION OF THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT. A FACTOR WAS THE LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL BY THE STUDENT PILOT.
Mar 18, 1994 FLIPPIN, AR N6654H Incident substantial THE STUDENT PILOT'S PREMATURE FLARE AND THE RESULTANT INADVERTENT STALL.
Mar 11, 1994 SEATTLE, WA N52807 Incident substantial THE STUDENT'S IMPROPER FLARE FOR LANDING AND THE INSTRUCTOR'S DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION.
Mar 10, 1994 DAYTON, OH N79136 Incident substantial
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control which resulted in a runway overrun. Factors are the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced land…

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control which resulted in a runway overrun. Factors are the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and his lack of experience.

Mar 08, 1994 EVANSTON, WY N19678 Incident substantial THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. FACTORS INCLUDE GUSTY CROSSWIND, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.
Mar 02, 1994 CASPER, WY N733WS Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALIGNMENT WITH THE RUNWAY. THE CROSSWIND WAS OF FACTOR.
Feb 27, 1994 GILLETTE, WY N21840 Incident substantial WAS THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION. FACTORS INCLUDE AN INADVERTENT PORPOISE, AND A LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.
Feb 27, 1994 FRANKFORT, MI N4871V Incident substantial THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE SNOW COVERED RUNWAY WAS A FACTOR.
Feb 26, 1994 CONCORDIA, KS N7924G Incident substantial
the flight instructor's inadequate remedial action when the student pilot failed to maintain adequate directional control of the airplane during the l…

the flight instructor's inadequate remedial action when the student pilot failed to maintain adequate directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. A related factor is the drifted snow.

Feb 22, 1994 SLATINGTON, PA N5272R Incident substantial THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALIGNMENT WITH THE RUNWAY. THE CROSSWIND WAS A FACTOR.
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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