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 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.

Apr 17, 2023 Fredericksburg, TX N478SP Incident substantial
The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during an attempted go-around resulting in abnormal contact with the runway pavement and a runway exc…

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during an attempted go-around resulting in abnormal contact with the runway pavement and a runway excursion.

Apr 15, 2023 North Las Vegas, NV N734NJ Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll resulting in collision with taxiway sign.
Apr 11, 2023 Terrell, TX N1221U Incident substantial The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial response.
Apr 11, 2023 Charles Town, WV N2554L Incident substantial A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Apr 04, 2023 Chapecó, BR PR-COT Minor substantial Investigation pending
Apr 01, 2023 Santa Ana, CA N1399U Incident substantial
The flight instructor’s failure to maintain clearance from a commercial airliner which resulted in an encounter with wake turbulence and subsequent lo…

The flight instructor’s failure to maintain clearance from a commercial airliner which resulted in an encounter with wake turbulence and subsequent loss of control resulting in impact with terrain.

Mar 22, 2023 Madrid, OF EC-GVD Incident minor Investigation pending
Mar 11, 2023 Lewiston, ID N7010Q Incident substantial
The flight instructor’s inadequate fuel planning and improper in-flight decision-making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel ex…

The flight instructor’s inadequate fuel planning and improper in-flight decision-making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

Mar 10, 2023 Van Nuys, CA N73726 Incident substantial The pilots failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Mar 07, 2023 Miami, FL N64535 Incident substantial A total loss of engine power due to a lack of oil lubrication.
Mar 05, 2023 Kinston, NC N2527L Incident substantial The airplane’s impact with two deer while performing a takeoff at night.
Mar 03, 2023 Loreto, OF OB-1100 Minor substantial Investigation pending
Feb 25, 2023 Princeton, MN N208SP Incident substantial
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident, was the runway condition combined with a ri…

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident, was the runway condition combined with a right crosswind.

Feb 24, 2023 Ephraim, UT N84717 Incident substantial The pilot’s improper landing flare and loss of directional control.
Feb 19, 2023 Moline, IL N84688 Incident substantial The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting crosswind conditions.
Feb 13, 2023 San Francisco, GT N8203L Fatal (3) destroyed Investigation pending
Feb 12, 2023 Crosby, TX N3238L Serious (1) substantial
The pilot’s delayed soft-field takeoff procedure, which prevented the pilot from achieving adequate airspeed and a proper climb rate resulting in a co…

The pilot’s delayed soft-field takeoff procedure, which prevented the pilot from achieving adequate airspeed and a proper climb rate resulting in a collision with a moving train.

Feb 01, 2023 Limon, CO N5163H Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
Jan 29, 2023 Cleveland, TX N621EW Minor substantial
The pilot’s decision to attempt the night flight under visual flight rules when instrument meteorological conditions prevailed resulting in the airpla…

The pilot’s decision to attempt the night flight under visual flight rules when instrument meteorological conditions prevailed resulting in the airplane striking trees while on final approach. Contributing to the accident were the unserviceable runway lights at the destination airport.

Jan 29, 2023 Hooker, OK N6482B Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot’s decision to depart and continue the visual flight rules flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial …

The pilot’s decision to depart and continue the visual flight rules flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of airplane control.

Jan 21, 2023 Skull Valley, AZ N92570 Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing in a crosswind.
Jan 03, 2023 Opa-locka, FL N2354E Incident substantial
The flight instructor’s decision to taxi behind a large multi-engine airplane, which resulted in an encounter with propeller blast and a loss of airpl…

The flight instructor’s decision to taxi behind a large multi-engine airplane, which resulted in an encounter with propeller blast and a loss of airplane control on the ground.

Jan 01, 2023 Watsonville, CA N7181A Serious (1) substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during a go around.
Jan 01, 2023 Conway, AR N7003G Incident substantial The solo student pilot’s improper landing flare and subsequent improper recovery from a bounced landing.
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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