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
Dec 21, 2022 Auburn Hills, MI N8768U Minor substantial
The catastrophic engine failure due to lack of oil lubrication, which resulted from the pilot’s failure to follow the airplane and engine manufacturer…

The catastrophic engine failure due to lack of oil lubrication, which resulted from the pilot’s failure to follow the airplane and engine manufacturers’ guidance for cold weather operation.

Dec 12, 2022 Knoxville, TN N783SF Incident substantial The pilot’s loss of directional control during engine start.
Dec 10, 2022 Socorro, NM N422B Incident substantial The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard bounced landing and loss of control in gusting wind.
Nov 18, 2022 Las Vegas, NV N88E Incident minor The student helicopter pilot’s failure to follow the tower controller’s landing instructions, which resulted in a midair collision.
Nov 12, 2022 Olathe, KS N5258Y Incident substantial The inflight collision with multiple geese during initial climb.
Nov 02, 2022 Greenville, SC N65615 Serious (1) substantial
The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing was the pilot’s failure to …

The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing was the pilot’s failure to use the checklist aboard the airplane during her attempts to restore engine power.

Oct 27, 2022 Roberta, GA N4349R Minor substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain a stabilized approach speed on landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with logs.
Oct 21, 2022 Toughkenamon, PA N80619 Minor substantial
The solo student pilot's improper landing flare and subsequent improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the a…

The solo student pilot's improper landing flare and subsequent improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane.

Oct 18, 2022 Yao, JA JA80AP Incident Investigation pending
Oct 17, 2022 Statesboro, GA N2476Y Fatal (1)
The pilot’s failure to include deplaning procedures as part of a passenger safety briefing and failure to have the passengers remain onboard until the…

The pilot’s failure to include deplaning procedures as part of a passenger safety briefing and failure to have the passengers remain onboard until the engine was shut down, which resulted in a passenger subsequently being struck by the rotating propeller.

Oct 15, 2022 Elizabethtown, KY N63663 Incident substantial
The pilot's decision to continue the taxi without visual reference to the surface, due to his vision being impaired by darkness and glare, which resul…

The pilot's decision to continue the taxi without visual reference to the surface, due to his vision being impaired by darkness and glare, which resulted in the airplane’s departure from the paved surface and impact with a ditch. Contributing was the flight instructor’s inadequate monitoring of the pilot.

Oct 13, 2022 Ulsan, KS HL1174 Fatal (1) substantial Investigation pending
Oct 08, 2022 Burlington, WA N73614 Incident substantial The pilots improper landing flare and remedial action which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.
Oct 06, 2022 Newport News, VA N97883 Fatal (1) substantial
The flight instructor’s failure to monitor the student pilot on takeoff and her delayed remedial action to stop him from exceeding the airplane’s crit…

The flight instructor’s failure to monitor the student pilot on takeoff and her delayed remedial action to stop him from exceeding the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in a low altitude aerodynamic stall from which she was unable to recover.

Oct 04, 2022 Sanford, FL N455ER Incident substantial
The pilot's unstable approach, which resulted in a hard landing and impact with a runway threshold light. Also causal was the flight instructor’s fail…

The pilot's unstable approach, which resulted in a hard landing and impact with a runway threshold light. Also causal was the flight instructor’s failure to take remedial action to prevent the hard landing.

Oct 02, 2022 Curatone, OF I-EDUK Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Oct 02, 2022 Hermantown, MN N262TA Fatal (3) substantial
The pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during initial climb in dark night and low instrument meteorological conditions, wh…

The pilot’s loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation during initial climb in dark night and low instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a descent into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s fatigue due to a long day of flying and personal activities.

Sep 28, 2022 Monticello, IA N5244R Incident substantial
The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper approach airspeed and glidepath which resulted in a long landing and his inability to stop the airplane on av…

The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper approach airspeed and glidepath which resulted in a long landing and his inability to stop the airplane on available runway and the subsequent runway excursion.

Sep 26, 2022 Superior, MT N12113 Incident substantial The pilot’s excessive airspeed during a landing, which resulted in a runway overrun and collision with terrain.
Sep 19, 2022 Donji Proložac, HR 9A-BDM Incident unk Investigation pending
Sep 18, 2022 Shaunavon, OF C-GZLU Fatal (2) substantial Investigation pending
Sep 17, 2022 Longmont, CO N2117Y Fatal (3) destroyed The pilots’ inability to see and avoid each other, resulting in a midair collision.
Sep 16, 2022 Ventura, CA N7917G Minor substantial A partial loss of engine power due to the fatigue fracture of the No. 4 exhaust valve.
Sep 13, 2022 Chattanooga, TN N388TC Incident substantial A total loss of engine power due to of carburetor ice. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat.
Sep 12, 2022 Fort Collins, CO N9049H Minor substantial
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain while intentionally maneuvering the airplane at low altitudes, which resulted in substan…

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain while intentionally maneuvering the airplane at low altitudes, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings.

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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