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
Nov 06, 2019 Vereeniging, SF ZS-DAC Incident Investigation pending
Oct 28, 2019 Augusta, GA N80931 Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to attain sufficient airspeed to climb out of ground effect, which resulted in a descent, loss of directional control, run…

The student pilot's failure to attain sufficient airspeed to climb out of ground effect, which resulted in a descent, loss of directional control, runway excursion, and impact with a fence.

Oct 15, 2019 Louisville, KY N6097G Incident substantial
The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a porpoised landing, a subsequent hard landing on grass left of the runway, and a nose-o…

The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a porpoised landing, a subsequent hard landing on grass left of the runway, and a nose-over. Contributing to the accident was the student’s self-imposed pressure to land the airplane

Oct 13, 2019 Palmer, AK N7267A Incident substantial
The pilot's delayed application of carburetor heat in weather conditions conducive to carburetor icing, which resulted in a partial loss of engine pow…

The pilot's delayed application of carburetor heat in weather conditions conducive to carburetor icing, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power, a precautionary landing, and impact with terrain.

Sep 25, 2019 St. Augustine, FL N309BR Incident substantial The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced, hard landing.
Sep 24, 2019 Manville, NJ N78192 Incident substantial A total loss of engine power due to the ingestion of sealant material that had loosened inside the carburetor airbox.
Sep 23, 2019 Plant City, FL N739RT Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the aborted landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a ditch.
Sep 21, 2019 Baska, Krk Island, HR 9A-DMG Incident substantial Investigation pending
Sep 12, 2019 Phoenix, AZ N796WW Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with runway sig…

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with runway signs while attempting to maneuver back onto the runway.

Sep 12, 2019 Hemet, CA N5229F Incident substantial The flight instructor's improper decision to perform a precautionary landing on unsuitable terrain, which resulted in a noseover.
Sep 08, 2019 Mekoryuk, AK N737NJ Incident substantial The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during takeoff in gusting wind conditions.
Sep 02, 2019 La Grange, TX N212BS Incident substantial The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Aug 18, 2019 Daytona Beach, FL N408ER Incident substantial The pilot entering the taxiway's failure to see and avoid the airplane established on the taxiway
Aug 09, 2019 Chicago, IL N9837L Incident substantial The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, porpoised landing.
Aug 04, 2019 Bayse, VA N424BC Incident substantial The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Aug 04, 2019 Ocean City, MD N197ME Incident substantial The student pilot's improper landing flare with a tailwind, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.
Jul 28, 2019 Oshkosh, WI N79575 Incident substantial
The pilot's improper fuel planning and decision to not divert to a closer airport when the planned flight profile changed, which resulted in a total l…

The pilot's improper fuel planning and decision to not divert to a closer airport when the planned flight profile changed, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

Jul 28, 2019 Mt. Sterling, KY N9548W Incident substantial
The pilot's loss of directional control during the takeoff roll due to distraction by the passenger window being unsecured, which resulted in a runway…

The pilot's loss of directional control during the takeoff roll due to distraction by the passenger window being unsecured, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a runway distance marker. Contributing to the accident was pilot’s failure to ensure that the passenger window was secured.

Jul 23, 2019 Van Nuys, CA N737DW Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a left quartering crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact w…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a left quartering crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with runway lighting.

Jul 22, 2019 Kingston, OK N8251L Incident substantial The partial loss of engine power due to a stuck exhaust valve.
Jul 19, 2019 Denver, CO N403FR Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during a soft-field takeoff, which resulted in the left wing striking the runway and a runway …

The student pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during a soft-field takeoff, which resulted in the left wing striking the runway and a runway excursion.

Jul 16, 2019 Grand Canyon, AZ N1079M Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in the left wing striking the ground.
Jul 16, 2019 Ocean City, MD N9715B Incident substantial A partial loss of power due to the liberation or failure of the No. 2 cylinder's exhaust valve.
Jul 14, 2019 Elkton, FL N35585 Incident substantial
The pilot under instruction's failure to follow the flight instructor’s directions and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action and subsequent …

The pilot under instruction's failure to follow the flight instructor’s directions and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action and subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

Jul 11, 2019 Vineyard Haven, MA N677DM Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain lateral position in relation to the instrument approach course at night in instrument meteorological conditions, which…

The pilot's failure to maintain lateral position in relation to the instrument approach course at night in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in collision with a tree.

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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