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
Jun 19, 2022 Fargo, ND N5256S Incident substantial The flight instructor’s failure to adequately monitor the pilot flying, which resulted in a nose-wheel first hard landing.
Jun 19, 2022 OWENSBORO, KY N35491 Incident substantial The student pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a loss of control during landing.
Jun 18, 2022 Jacksonville, IL N6797E Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to attain proper flare during landing, resulting in a bounced landing.
Jun 17, 2022 Bynum, TX N2975U Incident substantial
The pilot was not able to stop the airplane on the remaining runway after an aborted takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and the airplane im…

The pilot was not able to stop the airplane on the remaining runway after an aborted takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and the airplane impacting a fence.

Jun 16, 2022 Brevard, NC N5064H Serious (3) substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain altitude while maneuvering the airplane at a low altitude, which resulted in impact with trees and terrain.
Jun 13, 2022 Bluffton, OH N78755 Serious (1) substantial The student pilot’s loss of control during climb after an aborted landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Jun 12, 2022 Minot, ND N737BW Minor substantial
The student pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed and yaw control of the airplane during an aborted takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and…

The student pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed and yaw control of the airplane during an aborted takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with the ground.

Jun 09, 2022 Salina, KS N831KS Incident substantial The pilot’s poor pitch control during an aborted takeoff which resulted in a hard landing.
Jun 06, 2022 Westminster, MD N29501 Minor substantial
The student pilot’s loss of control during a go-around and the delayed remedial action initiated by the flight instructor, which resulted in a runway …

The student pilot’s loss of control during a go-around and the delayed remedial action initiated by the flight instructor, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with trees.

Jun 02, 2022 Ennis, TX N65497 Incident substantial A partial loss of engine power for reasons that were undetermined.
May 30, 2022 East Sound, WA N20487 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to attain a proper touchdown point which, resulted in a runway overrun and collision with trees.
May 28, 2022 Canyon Lake, TX N3842Q Minor substantial
The pilot’s failure to retract the flaps during a go-around, which resulted in decreased climb performance and a subsequent collision with trees and t…

The pilot’s failure to retract the flaps during a go-around, which resulted in decreased climb performance and a subsequent collision with trees and terrain.

May 26, 2022 Show Low, AZ N5532R Fatal (2) substantial
The pilot’s improper leaning of the engine during an extended period of time, which caused an exhaust valve to become stuck and led to the partial los…

The pilot’s improper leaning of the engine during an extended period of time, which caused an exhaust valve to become stuck and led to the partial loss of engine power during the accident flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to attempt a second takeoff without having the engine further examined.

May 19, 2022 Auburn, IN N2128E Incident substantial The student pilot’s improper landing flare and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial response which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
May 14, 2022 Lancaster, NY N20459 Incident substantial
The student pilot’s excessive pitch during takeoff resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain. Contributing was the student’s failure to re…

The student pilot’s excessive pitch during takeoff resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain. Contributing was the student’s failure to relinquish the controls when ordered by the instructor.

May 14, 2022 Miami, FL N8845Z Fatal (1) substantial
A total loss of engine power due to carburetor ice as a result of the pilot’s failure to effectively use carburetor heat in conditions conducive to th…

A total loss of engine power due to carburetor ice as a result of the pilot’s failure to effectively use carburetor heat in conditions conducive to the formation of carburetor ice.

May 11, 2022 Broomfield, CO N73670 Fatal (1) destroyed The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane for reasons that could not be determined.
May 10, 2022 Traverse City, MI N184NW Incident substantial The failure of maintenance personnel to properly torque a fuel line “B” nut, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
May 03, 2022 Altha, FL N6413B Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot’s failure to perform a preflight weight and balance calculation and his operation of the flight at an excessive takeoff weight, resulting in…

The pilot’s failure to perform a preflight weight and balance calculation and his operation of the flight at an excessive takeoff weight, resulting in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack after liftoff and an aerodynamic stall from which the pilot was unable to recover.

May 02, 2022 Augsburg, GE D-EOYS Incident substantial Investigation pending
May 01, 2022 Toms River, NJ N737LY Incident substantial Loss of engine power due to the throttle linkage becoming disconnected in flight due to improper maintenance.
Apr 30, 2022 Hampton, GA N5704R Incident substantial
The student pilot’s application of excessive left brake during the landing roll, resulting in a loss of directional control and a runway excursion. Th…

The student pilot’s application of excessive left brake during the landing roll, resulting in a loss of directional control and a runway excursion. The flight instructor’s inadequate remedial action was a factor in the accident.

Apr 25, 2022 Redding, CA N9572W Incident substantial The student pilot's improper landing flare and remedial action which resulted in a bounced landing.
Apr 25, 2022 Stockbridge, GA N7572T Minor substantial
The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action during an unstabilized approach, which resulted in an impact with powerlines and a subsequent loss of …

The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action during an unstabilized approach, which resulted in an impact with powerlines and a subsequent loss of control

Apr 23, 2022 Union, SC N737UY Minor substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain.
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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