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 25, 2010 Chatsworth, GA N84249 Fatal (2) substantial
The pilot's inadequate flight planning and in-flight fuel management resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to…

The pilot's inadequate flight planning and in-flight fuel management resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the operator's failure to ensure aircraft records pertaining to engine modifications and fuel burn rates were available to flight crewmembers.

Aug 25, 2010 Cerro Azul, EC HC-AQK Fatal (1) substantial Investigation pending
Aug 11, 2010 Orange, MA N21363 Fatal (2) substantial The pilots did not maintain control of the airplane during a flight in dark night conditions due to spatial disorientation.
Jul 05, 2010 Chesapeake, VA N52614 Fatal (1) substantial The airplane's impact with terrain for undetermined reasons following the pilot's report of a flight control malfunction.
Jun 21, 2010 Angels Camp, CA N733AS Fatal (1) substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering.
Jun 21, 2010 Broken Hill, AS VH-UFN Fatal (1) substantial Investigation pending
Apr 16, 2010 Archer, FL N8112L Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed for undetermined reasons while maneuvering in the vicinity of an airport, which resulted in an aerod…

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed for undetermined reasons while maneuvering in the vicinity of an airport, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and hard landing.

Apr 03, 2010 West Milford, NJ N5528T Fatal (1) substantial The complete loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
Apr 02, 2010 Hillsboro, OH N2190Y Fatal (1) destroyed Impact with the runway pavement for unknown reasons.
Jan 17, 2010 Holland, MI N8405E Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot's decision to take off in known instrument meteorological conditions without instrument currency or recent instrument experience, which led …

The pilot's decision to take off in known instrument meteorological conditions without instrument currency or recent instrument experience, which led to spatial disorientation resulting in an inadvertent spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of adequate rest prior to the flight.

Jan 04, 2010 Greenbush, ME N5118J Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot's improper decision to attempt a transoceanic flight in turbulent, icing conditions, with an overweight airplane that was not approved for m…

The pilot's improper decision to attempt a transoceanic flight in turbulent, icing conditions, with an overweight airplane that was not approved for moderate turbulence and not equipped with deicing systems. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's personal pressure to return home.

Dec 08, 2009 Kissimmee, FL N5269X Fatal (4) destroyed
The pilot's decision to depart under special VFR flight at night when instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the departure airport and alon…

The pilot's decision to depart under special VFR flight at night when instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the departure airport and along the route of flight and his continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of aircraft control.

Nov 05, 2009 Tallahassee, FL N5194X Fatal (2) destroyed The pilots' spatial disorientation during flight in dark conditions, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into terrain.
Oct 25, 2009 Bennington, VT N55479 Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain during a night approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s non-standard traffic patt…

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain during a night approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s non-standard traffic pattern over higher terrain.

Sep 19, 2009 Lowndesville, SC N5845A Fatal (2) substantial
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and improper decision to continue flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in spatial di…

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and improper decision to continue flight into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation after entering instrument flight conditions.

Jul 03, 2009 Latimer, IA N8138B Fatal (1) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power line while flying at a low altitude.
Jun 28, 2009 Rimrock, WA N4396R Fatal (2) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of flight experience, and h…

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of flight experience, and his delayed initiation of a go-around.

Jun 01, 2009 Uddevalla, SW SE-GUP Fatal (1) destroyed Under the jurisdiction and control of the Swedish government.
May 11, 2009 Santa Cruz, BL CP-2492 Fatal (5) destroyed Investigation pending
Mar 06, 2009 Oceanside, CA N726RJ Fatal (1) destroyed A loss of aircraft control for undetermined reasons.
Feb 28, 2009 Liquino, EC HC-BFQ Fatal (1) substantial None.
Jan 09, 2009 Hardin, KY N28RP Fatal (1) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and his impairment from illegal drug use.
Dec 18, 2008 Goodland, FL N967SP Fatal (1) destroyed The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the night light conditions.
Dec 10, 2008 Lompoc, CA N6461E Fatal (1) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power line. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent experience.
Dec 06, 2008 Ft. Lauderdale, FL N369ES Fatal (4) substantial The failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other aircraft.
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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