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
Feb 02, 2007 Bessemer, AL N7109G Fatal (2) substantial The non-instrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions.
Feb 01, 2007 Nadi, FJ DQ-SKY Fatal (3) destroyed Investigation pending
Jan 03, 2007 Armstrong, TX N3940R Fatal (3) destroyed
The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather conditions resulting in a loss of control. Contributing factors were the dark night conditions, the…

The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather conditions resulting in a loss of control. Contributing factors were the dark night conditions, the clouds. low ceilings, and the pilot's limited night and instrument experience.

Nov 05, 2006 Hominy, OK N53443 Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot's continued cruise flight into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Contributing factors were th…

The pilot's continued cruise flight into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Contributing factors were the dark night conditions, and the low ceilings.

Oct 25, 2006 Escalante, UT N9179D Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were the pilot's lack of experience of flying on instruments on a dark night a…

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were the pilot's lack of experience of flying on instruments on a dark night and in rainy weather.

Jul 24, 2006 Brookville, IN N8829U Fatal (1) substantial
The in-flight loss of engine power during cruise flight due to restricted fuel flow and the inadequate preflight the pilot performed. An additional c…

The in-flight loss of engine power during cruise flight due to restricted fuel flow and the inadequate preflight the pilot performed. An additional cause was the trees.

Jul 19, 2006 Petal, MS N738KE Fatal (2) destroyed The pilot's improper use of flaps, which resulted in an impact with trees during takeoff-initial climb.
Jul 14, 2006 El Rosario, SP EC-HQR Fatal (3) destroyed Investigation pending
Jul 14, 2006 Pompton Lakes, NJ N4792D Fatal (1) destroyed
Improper maintenance of the throttle shaft, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during cruise flight, and subsequent impact with trees du…

Improper maintenance of the throttle shaft, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during cruise flight, and subsequent impact with trees during a forced landing.

Jun 22, 2006 Newry, ME N572BA Fatal (4) destroyed The flight instructor's failure to maintain altitude/clearance while maneuvering, which resulted in an impact with trees.
Apr 25, 2006 Montgomery Twp, PA N7604G Fatal (1) destroyed An impact with mountainous terrain for an undetermined reason.
Apr 23, 2006 Chugiak, AK N5049A Fatal (5) destroyed
The inadequate visual lookout by the pilots of both airplanes during cruise flight, which resulted in their failure to see-and-avoid each other, and a…

The inadequate visual lookout by the pilots of both airplanes during cruise flight, which resulted in their failure to see-and-avoid each other, and a subsequent midair collision.

Apr 18, 2006 Toledo, SP EC-IYF Fatal (2) substantial Investigation pending
Feb 22, 2006 Mitchellville, MD N3536C Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot's improper inflight planning/decision to attempt a landing in weather conditions below landing minimums, and his failure to maintain airspee…

The pilot's improper inflight planning/decision to attempt a landing in weather conditions below landing minimums, and his failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering. Factors in the accident were the fog and snow.

Feb 12, 2006 Samana, DR HI-410CT Fatal (3) destroyed Investigation pending
Jan 22, 2006 Harrison, MI N8540B Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's impai…

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's impairment due to drugs.

Jan 03, 2006 Mendoza, AR PT-OJN Fatal (4) destroyed Investigation pending
Dec 22, 2005 Gilroy, CA N7383A Fatal (4) destroyed
The non-instrument rated pilot's poor judgment to fly in dark night instrument conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and loss of ai…

The non-instrument rated pilot's poor judgment to fly in dark night instrument conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and loss of aircraft control while maneuvering. Contributing factors were the dark night light condition and the low ceiling.

Dec 16, 2005 Hana, HI N542SP Fatal (1) substantial Collision with mountainous terrain for undetermined reasons.
Dec 14, 2005 Pinon, NM N1257Z Fatal (1) destroyed the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane for undetermined reasons.
Oct 24, 2005 Barcelona, SP EC-EME Fatal (4) destroyed Investigation pending
Oct 16, 2005 La Belle, FL N99173 Fatal (1) substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the initial takeoff climb, resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin and uncontrolled descent to …

The student pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the initial takeoff climb, resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin and uncontrolled descent to ground impact. A contributing factor was the failure of the wing flap control, which resulted in the flaps being stuck in the full down position.

Oct 14, 2005 Rootstown, OH N7768G Fatal (4) destroyed
The failure of both pilots to maintain an adequate visual lookout during cruise flight, which resulted in their failure to see and avoid each other an…

The failure of both pilots to maintain an adequate visual lookout during cruise flight, which resulted in their failure to see and avoid each other and a midair collision.

Oct 09, 2005 Union City, OH N6085R Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot's failure to perform a preflight weather evaluation which led to his inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his sp…

The pilot's failure to perform a preflight weather evaluation which led to his inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his spatial disorientation. The low ceilings and the dark night were contributing factors.

Sep 16, 2005 Saint Cloud, FL N1814Y Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot's failure to maintain the airspeed while maneuvering following loss of engine power resulting in a stall/mush, an uncontrolled descent, and …

The pilot's failure to maintain the airspeed while maneuvering following loss of engine power resulting in a stall/mush, an uncontrolled descent, and collision with trees and the ground.

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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