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 27, 2023 Redding, CA N17274 Incident substantial The student pilot’s loss of airplane control during takeoff, which resulted in a bounced landing and impact with the airport’s windsock.
Sep 23, 2023 Monacalieri, OF I-FFSW Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Sep 22, 2023 Midland, TX N391SP Incident substantial The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing, and the nose landing gear collapse.
Sep 20, 2023 Compton, CA N733ZN Minor substantial
The total loss of engine power on takeoff due to water-contaminated fuel. Contributing to the accident was the inadequately maintained fuel system, wh…

The total loss of engine power on takeoff due to water-contaminated fuel. Contributing to the accident was the inadequately maintained fuel system, which resulted in water entering the fuel tanks through the filler caps.

Sep 18, 2023 Winston-Salem, NC N1451U Incident substantial The pilot’s loss of directional control upon landing which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer.
Sep 13, 2023 West Bend, WI N529ER Incident substantial The pilot’s inadequate landing flare that resulted in a hard landing and impact with the runway.
Sep 03, 2023 Neola, IA N1374F Incident substantial The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning and improper in-flight decision-making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Sep 03, 2023 Eden Prairie, MN N5254D Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during a landing with a left crosswind.
Aug 31, 2023 Mountains, IC TF-KLO Fatal (3) destroyed Investigation pending
Aug 25, 2023 Carson City, NV N4432R Serious (1) substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during an aborted landing in gusting wind conditions.
Aug 19, 2023 Santa Rosa, CA N3282L Incident substantial The pilot’s inadequate fuel management which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Aug 11, 2023 Port Norris, NJ N5453K Incident substantial The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.
Aug 11, 2023 Derby, KS N6205E Incident substantial
The pilot’s loss of directional control during takeoff roll due the passenger’s interference with the rudder pedals, which resulted in a runway excurs…

The pilot’s loss of directional control during takeoff roll due the passenger’s interference with the rudder pedals, which resulted in a runway excursion.

Aug 10, 2023 Marysville, CA N20268 Incident substantial The flight instructor’s failure to monitor the airplane’s speed during a high-speed taxi, resulting in a runway excursion.
Aug 09, 2023 Princeton, NJ N172FW Incident substantial
The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the prevailing wind conditions during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent collision wi…

The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the prevailing wind conditions during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent collision with trees.

Aug 07, 2023 Waco, TX N6319G Incident substantial The solo student pilot’s improper descent path which resulted in a hard landing on the nose wheel and subsequent bounced landing.
Aug 04, 2023 Charlotte Amalie, CB N13384 Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilots’ loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was both pilots’ lack of experience in operating in a…

The pilots’ loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was both pilots’ lack of experience in operating in actual instrument meteorological conditions.

Aug 04, 2023 Pembroke Pines, FL N697FL Fatal (2) substantial
The flight instructor’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and sub…

The flight instructor’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during the initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent rapid descent into terrain.

Aug 03, 2023 Philadelphia, PA N860TW Minor substantial
The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain control during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate …

The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain control during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the flight.

Aug 02, 2023 Clewiston, FL N1403R Incident substantial
The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing on the nose landing gear. Contributing to the accident was the flight ins…

The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing on the nose landing gear. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the student pilot.

Jul 28, 2023 Trujillo, OF OB-1334 Fatal (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Jul 14, 2023 Kohnan, JA JA10AZ Incident minor Investigation pending
Jul 13, 2023 Novosibirsk,, RS RA-2018G Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Jul 12, 2023 Greenwood, IN N701DE Incident substantial The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Jul 10, 2023 Long Beach, CA N3307E Minor substantial The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing and the subsequent go-around, which resulted in impact with a hangar.
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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