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 19, 2008 York, NE N4380Q Fatal (2) substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, and the flight instructor's failure to take remedial action, for undetermined reasons.
Sep 09, 2008 El Trebolar, CI CC-KAZ Fatal (3) substantial None.
Aug 08, 2008 Incline Village, NV N15963 Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot's decision to initiate a flight for which he was neither approved nor qualified and his failure to maintain terrain clearance during the fli…

The pilot's decision to initiate a flight for which he was neither approved nor qualified and his failure to maintain terrain clearance during the flight. Contributing to the accident were the dark night, the mountainous terrain, and the pilot's medical condition.

Aug 04, 2008 Gearhart, OR N828CC Fatal (2) destroyed The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the initial climb after takeoff due to spatial disorientation.
Jul 27, 2008 McMurray, WA N75558 Fatal (3) substantial
The pilot's improper decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological weather conditions. Contributing to the accident were low ceiling…

The pilot's improper decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological weather conditions. Contributing to the accident were low ceilings, reduced visibility, and mountainous terrain.

Jun 28, 2008 Sa Pobla, SP EC-IRP Fatal (3) substantial Investigation pending
Jun 23, 2008 Oceanside, CA N2436F Fatal (2) destroyed Failure of the pilot to regain airplane control during an intentional stall/spin maneuver.
Jun 17, 2008 Pahala, HI N13713 Fatal (3) substantial
The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to remain clear of rising terrain while deviating from h…

The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to remain clear of rising terrain while deviating from his planned route of flight. Contributing to the accident were clouds and mountainous terrain.

May 30, 2008 Monticello, UT N389ES Fatal (2) substantial The in-flight collision with mountainous terrain for undetermined reasons. *This report was modified on December 10, 2009.
May 03, 2008 McCall, ID N4008F Fatal (3) destroyed
The failure of the pilot to maintain adequate visual lookout and clearance from another airplane while attempting to land on the same runway. Contribu…

The failure of the pilot to maintain adequate visual lookout and clearance from another airplane while attempting to land on the same runway. Contributing to the accident was the non-standard pattern entry of the pilot.

Apr 11, 2008 Roseglen, ND N7490G Fatal (2) substantial
The pilot failed to maintain obstacle clearance from the TV antenna during a low altitude maneuver. Contributing factors were the antenna, the night …

The pilot failed to maintain obstacle clearance from the TV antenna during a low altitude maneuver. Contributing factors were the antenna, the night conditions, and pilot impairment due to alcohol.

Mar 13, 2008 Indiantown, FL N284SP Fatal (4) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the overweight condition of t…

The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the overweight condition of the airplane and the inoperative stall warning horn.

Mar 08, 2008 Gun Barrel City, TX N13246 Fatal (1) substantial The pilot's failure to avoid the transmission line. A contributing factor was the pilot's decision to perform a low-level maneuver.
Jan 20, 2008 Corona, CA N737EJ Fatal (4) destroyed The failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other airplane.
Jan 12, 2008 Clearwater, FL N7100Q Fatal (3) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering for approach to land. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's operation of the airplan…

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering for approach to land. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's operation of the airplane above the design gross weight.

Nov 28, 2007 Marlow, OK N6555D Fatal (2) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and impact with terrain. Contributing to the …

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident were the low altitude for recovery and the gusty tailwind.

Nov 03, 2007 Gladwin, MI N8353L Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering at a low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention…

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering at a low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention while attempting to photograph ground objects.

Oct 29, 2007 Palm Springs, CA N21101 Fatal (1) substantial The flight instructor's failure to maintain sufficient airspeed to avoid a stall during takeoff-initial climb, and his impairment from alcohol.
Sep 08, 2007 Mansfield, MA N19952 Fatal (2) substantial
The pilot's improper use of wing flaps during takeoff, which resulted in reduced climb performance and a subsequent stall. Contributing to the acciden…

The pilot's improper use of wing flaps during takeoff, which resulted in reduced climb performance and a subsequent stall. Contributing to the accident was the exceedance of the airplane's maximum gross weight.

Sep 04, 2007 Kelleys Island, OH N1301Y Fatal (2) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident were the water and dark night con…

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident were the water and dark night conditions which resulted in the lack of ground references during the takeoff.

Sep 02, 2007 Union Star, MO N1502V Fatal (1) destroyed
The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and the subsequent inadvertent stall while buzzing residences. Contributing to the accident…

The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and the subsequent inadvertent stall while buzzing residences. Contributing to the accident was the pilot performing buzzing maneuvers.

Aug 16, 2007 Rochester, NY N738JE Fatal (2) destroyed The pilot's failuire to maitain adequate airspeed during a turning maneuver which resulted in an inadvertent stall.
Jun 14, 2007 Yellow Pine, ID N6233E Fatal (1) substantial The pilot's selection of the wrong routing through mountainous terrain and his failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance.
Jun 03, 2007 Meranges, SP EC-HOT Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Apr 09, 2007 Page, AZ N6267D Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude, and, his failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering to reverse…

The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude, and, his failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering to reverse course in a box canyon. Contributing to the accident were the rising terrain and the box canyon.

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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