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 21, 2021 Bloemfontein, OF ZS-SUI Incident substantial Investigation pending
Feb 12, 2021 Prairie du Sac, WI N3477E Incident substantial
The student pilot’s loss of directional control during takeoff, which resulted in the collision with a snowbank. Contributing to the accident was the …

The student pilot’s loss of directional control during takeoff, which resulted in the collision with a snowbank. Contributing to the accident was the compacted snow conditions on the runway surface.
Feb 08, 2021 Orange, VA N841SP Incident substantial The student pilot’s improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Feb 07, 2021 Urbana, OH N348RM Incident substantial
The student pilot’s loss of directional control during landing which resulted in an impact with a snowbank. The slippery runway condition contributed …

The student pilot’s loss of directional control during landing which resulted in an impact with a snowbank. The slippery runway condition contributed to the accident.
Jan 29, 2021 Clare, MI N22101 Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing that resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain.
Jan 28, 2021 Lawrenceville, GA N997MC Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in a gusting crosswind, which resulted in a loss of control and runway excursion.
Jan 14, 2021 Kelso, WA N5930R Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent nose over.
Dec 29, 2020 Cypress, TX N3702R Incident substantial A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Dec 26, 2020 Locust Grove, GA N75825 Incident substantial The pilot’s improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control and subsequent runway excursion.
Dec 22, 2020 Culpeper, VA N505LP Incident substantial The pilot’s decision to land the airplane in crosswind conditions that exceeded the airplane’s maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity.
Dec 13, 2020 San Diego, CA N5098E Incident substantial A partial loss of engine power due to the fatigue fracture of the No. 3 exhaust valve rocker arm stud.
Dec 11, 2020 Dexter, ME N19801 Incident substantial The pilot’s loss of directional control while landing, which resulted in an encounter with snow and subsequent nose over.
Nov 27, 2020 Sanford, NC N53587 Incident substantial The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain.
Nov 24, 2020 Manville, NJ N23NJ Incident substantial
The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper glidepath while on approach to the runway, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulte…

The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper glidepath while on approach to the runway, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in the airplane colliding with a tree on final approach.
Nov 20, 2020 Lawrence, KS N99HV Incident substantial The student pilot’s improper landing flare/touchdown which resulted in a hard landing.
Nov 19, 2020 El Paso, TX N5XY Incident substantial The pilot’s loss of control on takeoff during a touch and go landing, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Nov 18, 2020 Manville, NJ N734JF Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in a gusty crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and noseover.
Oct 24, 2020 Carefree, AZ N7029T Incident substantial The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Oct 24, 2020 Geuda Springs, KS N5910A Incident substantial
The pilot’s failure to determine the airplane’s takeoff performance from an off-airport field which resulted in an aborted takeoff and impact with a f…

The pilot’s failure to determine the airplane’s takeoff performance from an off-airport field which resulted in an aborted takeoff and impact with a fence and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the delayed aborted takeoff.
Oct 17, 2020 Columbus, MS N26481 Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during a touch-and-go landing.
Oct 13, 2020 Williston, FL N6158G Incident substantial The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Oct 03, 2020 Hinckley, MN N4972G Incident substantial The airplane’s impact with deer while landing.
Sep 30, 2020 Higginsville, MO N461CM Incident substantial The airplane’s collision with a deer on the runway during takeoff at night.
Sep 29, 2020 Big Rapids, MI N79300 Incident substantial The airplane’s impact with a deer during takeoff.
Sep 21, 2020 Lafayette, IN N6330V Incident substantial
The separation failure of a landing gear system hydraulic line and its compression fitting during cruise flight, which resulted in a partial gear up l…

The separation failure of a landing gear system hydraulic line and its compression fitting during cruise flight, which resulted in a partial gear up 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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