Cessna 172 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 6810 events recorded from 1974 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 09, 2023 | San Rafael, CA | N4922G | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing as a result of the pilot’s failure to activate the carburetor heat in a timely manner during th…The total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing as a result of the pilot’s failure to activate the carburetor heat in a timely manner during the descent. |
| Jul 05, 2023 | Burlington, VT | N64AF | Incident | substantial | The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action. |
| Jul 04, 2023 | Murrieta, CA | N5243E | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Contribu…The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Contributing to the loss of control was the pilot’s sudden retraction of the flaps. |
| Jul 02, 2023 | Kennesaw, GA | N734YD | Incident | substantial | The student pilot’s loss of directional control while landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with an airport sign. |
| Jun 30, 2023 | Novato, CA | N372AH | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll for a touch and go, which resulted in a collision with ter…The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll for a touch and go, which resulted in a collision with terrain. |
| Jun 30, 2023 | Siloam Springs, AR | N739GU | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while on final approach to land. |
| Jun 23, 2023 | Marana, AZ | N84385 | Incident | substantial | A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. |
| Jun 18, 2023 | Seymore, TN | N12395 | Minor | substantial |
The flight instructor’s failure to properly configure the wing flaps for a soft-field takeoff on a short runway, which resulted in a runway overrun an…The flight instructor’s failure to properly configure the wing flaps for a soft-field takeoff on a short runway, which resulted in a runway overrun and collision with trees. |
| Jun 17, 2023 | San Angelo, TX | N7509X | Incident | substantial | A partial loss of engine power due to loose bolts holding the carburetor throttle body to the fuel bowl. |
| Jun 05, 2023 | Santa Monica, CA | N819KS | Incident | substantial |
A failure of the nose wheel upper torque link bolt, which resulted in a loss of steering control. Contributing to the accident were maintenance person…A failure of the nose wheel upper torque link bolt, which resulted in a loss of steering control. Contributing to the accident were maintenance personnel’s failure to inspect and replace the fractured bolt and the pilot’s oversight of the bolt during his preflight inspection. |
| Jun 03, 2023 | Prescott, AZ | N249K | Incident | substantial |
The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was his delayed decision to initiate a go-aro…The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was his delayed decision to initiate a go-around. |
| May 30, 2023 | Miami, FL | N2447B | Incident | substantial | The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in substantial damage the airplane’s fuselage. |
| May 29, 2023 | Divide, CO | N8098X | Minor | substantial | A loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined. |
| May 27, 2023 | Monagas, OF | YV179E | Fatal (2) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| May 26, 2023 | Lake Worth, FL | N3KV | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
Maintenance personnel’s failure to detect the corroded aileron cable during recent inspections, which resulted in the separation of the aileron contro…Maintenance personnel’s failure to detect the corroded aileron cable during recent inspections, which resulted in the separation of the aileron control cable and a subsequent loss of airplane control during takeoff. |
| May 24, 2023 | Casa Grande, AZ | N60372 | Incident | substantial |
An in-flight separation of the throttle linkage, which resulted in a loss of throttle control. Contributing to the accident was maintenance personnel’…An in-flight separation of the throttle linkage, which resulted in a loss of throttle control. Contributing to the accident was maintenance personnel’s failure to follow the maintenance manual inspection procedure for the throttle cable assembly. |
| May 23, 2023 | Romeoville, IL | N674MA | Incident | substantial | The student pilot’s failure to attain/maintain a proper landing flare and failure to perform a go-around that resulted in an impact with the runway. |
| May 19, 2023 | Seattle, WA | N2550L | Minor | substantial | A stuck exhaust valve that resulted in a partial loss of engine power and a forced water ditching. |
| May 17, 2023 | Flower Mound, TX | N5550J | Incident | substantial |
The fatigue failure of the rocker arm which resulted in a partial loss of engine power. Contributing was the airplane operator’s failure to inspect th…The fatigue failure of the rocker arm which resulted in a partial loss of engine power. Contributing was the airplane operator’s failure to inspect the rocker arm in accordance with the engine manufacturer’s service bulletin. |
| May 15, 2023 | Chambers, NE | N2946U | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The pilot’s continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions at night and his failure to maintain adequate altitude, which resulted in …The pilot’s continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions at night and his failure to maintain adequate altitude, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. |
| May 11, 2023 | South Bethlehem, NY | N1596E | Serious (2) | substantial | The pilot’s improper decision to attempt an intersection takeoff in a tailwind when the full runway in the opposite, headwind direction was available. |
| May 04, 2023 | Brookings, SD | N1674E | Incident | substantial |
The student pilot’s failure to maintain pitch and directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident, was the student pilot’s d…The student pilot’s failure to maintain pitch and directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident, was the student pilot’s delay in relinquishing control of the airplane and the instructor's delayed reaction before the loss of directional control. |
| Apr 30, 2023 | Los Angeles, CA | N575ND | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with the hilly terrain resulting from his loss of situational awareness due to the deteriorating weather con…The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with the hilly terrain resulting from his loss of situational awareness due to the deteriorating weather conditions as he descended to approach his destination airport. |
| Apr 28, 2023 | Nacogdoches, TX | N52602 | Incident | substantial | The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. |
| Apr 18, 2023 | London, OH | N734GB | Fatal (2) | substantial |
The flight instructor’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aero…The flight instructor’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery. |