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
Aug 15, 2004 Yuba City, CA C-GTKX Fatal (1) destroyed the pilot's failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall.
Aug 12, 2004 Webster, WI N3599F Fatal (1) destroyed The high velocity impact with terrain for undetermined reasons.
Aug 12, 2004 Brownville Junc, ME N12959 Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the airplane's controlled flight into rising terrain.…

The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the airplane's controlled flight into rising terrain. Factors included the instrument meteorological conditions and the rising terrain.

Aug 09, 2004 Monarch Crest, CO N911JR Fatal (2) destroyed
the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall, and his decision to conduct flight beyond the performance capability of the aircra…

the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall, and his decision to conduct flight beyond the performance capability of the aircraft. A contributing factor was the high density altitude, and an inadvertent stall.

Aug 01, 2004 Waterloo, AL N970SP Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a stall and subsequent uncontrolled descent and…

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a stall and subsequent uncontrolled descent and collision into water.

Jul 18, 2004 Algarrobo, CI CC-PJO Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Jul 18, 2004 Brookville, OH N9731V Fatal (1) substantial
The student pilot's control interference while the flight instructor was maneuvering to avoid a tree, which resulted in a failure to maintain airspeed…

The student pilot's control interference while the flight instructor was maneuvering to avoid a tree, which resulted in a failure to maintain airspeed and a stall/mush.

Jul 11, 2004 Paris, AR N46174 Fatal (2) destroyed
the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation, his attempted flight into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain clearance from the tre…

the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation, his attempted flight into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain clearance from the trees resulting in the airplane's collision with the trees and subsequent impact with the ground. Factors contributing to the accident were the fog, the low altitude, the pilot's inability to see objects and the terrain, and the trees.

Jul 11, 2004 Edinburgh, NY N8358X Fatal (1) substantial The pilot's occluded left main coronary artery, which resulted in a massive heart attack and sudden death in flight.
Jun 15, 2004 Trinidad, BL CP-1613 Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Jun 12, 2004 Madisonville, TN N8777U Fatal (2) destroyed The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering on a touch and go landing resulting in a stall and collision with the ground.
May 10, 2004 Curico, CI CC-CWP Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Apr 24, 2004 Moselle, MS N75812 Fatal (3) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance and his inadequate visual look-out while maneuvering resulting in an in-flight collision with a radio tower.
Jan 20, 2004 Grass Valley, CA N99LR Fatal (2) destroyed
the pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions and failure to maintain an adequate terrain/object clearance altitude. …

the pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions and failure to maintain an adequate terrain/object clearance altitude. Also causal was the pilot's improper in-flight decision to return to the origin airport in the face of deteriorating weather conditions instead of diverting to a more suitable alternate.

Dec 26, 2003 Vacaville, CA N7668G Fatal (1) the pilot's inadequate hand prop starting procedure.
Dec 23, 2003 Shiona, EC HC-BAS Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Dec 21, 2003 Grand Saline, TX N78189 Fatal (2) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while on final approach. Factors were the high winds and prevailing crosswind.
Oct 21, 2003 Olive Branch, MS N75510 Fatal (1) substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain airspeed (Vso), which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin, an uncontrolled descent, and an impact with terra…

The student pilot's failure to maintain airspeed (Vso), which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin, an uncontrolled descent, and an impact with terrain. A factor in the accident was his failure to follow the airplane's operating checklist and retract the wing flaps for takeoff.

Sep 18, 2003 Perry, GA N13375 Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane, and also causal was his failure to detect water-contaminated fuel which resulted in a loss …

The pilot inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane, and also causal was his failure to detect water-contaminated fuel which resulted in a loss of engine power and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an stall.

Sep 06, 2003 New Braunfels, TX N7632G Fatal (2) destroyed The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed sufficient for flight resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin during takeoff.
Aug 29, 2003 Malaga, SP EC-EUK Fatal (4) destroyed Investigation pending
Jul 18, 2003 Isle, MN N1606F Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall. The trees, high density altitude, and the soft field were additional fac…

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall. The trees, high density altitude, and the soft field were additional factors.

Jul 09, 2003 McAllen, TX N13368 Fatal (2) destroyed The pilot's failure to recover from a bounced landing which resulted in a loss of control. Contributing factors were the gusty winds.
Jul 08, 2003 McKinney, TX N166ME Fatal (2) destroyed
The CFI's failure to maintain airspeed sufficient for flight resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin during the forced landing. A contributing factor …

The CFI's failure to maintain airspeed sufficient for flight resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin during the forced landing. A contributing factor was the impact with a bird, which affected the performance of the airplane.

Jun 25, 2003 Skagway, AK N736QK Fatal (2) substantial
The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with mountainous terrain. Fac…

The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with mountainous terrain. Factors associated with the accident were low ceilings, rain, and fog.

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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