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
Apr 29, 2001 Hodgenville, KY N106ME Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment during landing. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in conducting soft field…

The pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment during landing. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in conducting soft field landings.

Apr 21, 2001 Sultan, WA N8402E Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees and terrain during the airplane's initial climb.
Apr 05, 2001 Williamsport, PA N65630 Minor substantial The pilot's premature raising of flaps resulting in his failure to establish a climb and his failure to maintain directional control.
Dec 09, 2000 MOUNT STERLING, KY N80854 Minor substantial The student pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
Nov 15, 2000 KALKASKA, MI N1706F Minor substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control on the ground. Factors relating to this accident were the student pilot's improper abort pro…

The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control on the ground. Factors relating to this accident were the student pilot's improper abort procedures, the sign, and the ditch.

Nov 13, 2000 WINCHESTER, VA N2843Q Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to obtain a pre-departure or en route weather briefing, which led to fuel exhaustion, after his destination and alternate airports…

The pilot's failure to obtain a pre-departure or en route weather briefing, which led to fuel exhaustion, after his destination and alternate airports were covered by fog. A factor was the fog.

Nov 02, 2000 RIDGEFIELD, CT N4654G Minor destroyed The pilot's failure to verify the airplane's fuel tank selector position, which resulted in a loss of engine power.
Oct 30, 2000 CONCONULLY, WA CGDNN Minor destroyed
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the trees while flying at a very low altitude in mountainous/hilly terrain. Factors include, forested m…

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the trees while flying at a very low altitude in mountainous/hilly terrain. Factors include, forested mountainous/hilly terrain, flight at a very low altitude, and an encounter with a downdraft.

Oct 22, 2000 HALF MOON BAY, CA N5226K Minor substantial
A local windshear condition that exceeded the airplane's climb performance capability during landing approach and resulted in the runway overrun durin…

A local windshear condition that exceeded the airplane's climb performance capability during landing approach and resulted in the runway overrun during an attempted go-around.

Oct 13, 2000 PALATKA, FL N7894X Minor substantial The CFI's inadequate preflight planning which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent loss of engine power.
Oct 07, 2000 SPARTA, WI N13214 Minor destroyed
the pilot's inaccurate fuel consumption calculations, improper fuel management, inadequate in-flight planning/decision, flight to destination alternat…

the pilot's inaccurate fuel consumption calculations, improper fuel management, inadequate in-flight planning/decision, flight to destination alternate not performed, and the discontinued planned approach to the initially selected runway. Contributing factors were the fuel system not understood by the pilot. The tree was additional factor.

Sep 11, 2000 NOVATO, CA N84828 Minor substantial Failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing rollout resulting in a collision with a berm.
Sep 08, 2000 CROSS KEYS, NJ N9594L Minor substantial The operator's inadequate 100-hour inspection of the airplane, and the pilot's continued operation with known deficiencies in equipment.
Sep 02, 2000 HALFMOON, NY N8019X Minor substantial The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, and his continued flight into, and attempted landing during a thunderstorm. A factor was the thunderstorm.
Aug 29, 2000 WINDSOR, NH N7664G Minor substantial
the pilot's improper preflight planning to make a takeoff toward obstacles, and his delayed decision to abort the takeoff, which resulted in an overru…

the pilot's improper preflight planning to make a takeoff toward obstacles, and his delayed decision to abort the takeoff, which resulted in an overrun into unsuitable terrain.

Aug 09, 2000 GLENEDEN BEACH, OR N737CM Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to remove the control lock during his preflight inspection. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's failure to foll…

The pilot's failure to remove the control lock during his preflight inspection. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's failure to follow the BEFORE TAKEOFF checklist, trees beyond the upwind end of the runway, and the pilot's self-induced pressure.

Aug 08, 2000 MANTEO, NC N3529Q Minor substantial The pilot's failure of preflight planning preparation, which resulted in the fuel exhaustion, and the subsequent loss of engine power.
Jul 19, 2000 COLUMBUS, OH N80624 Minor substantial a partial power loss for undetermined reason(s).
Jul 12, 2000 COLUMBUS, TX N3392E Minor substantial
the failure of both magnetos of the dual-magneto single-drive unit. A factor contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for the fo…

the failure of both magnetos of the dual-magneto single-drive unit. A factor contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Jun 09, 2000 WEST MILFORD, NJ N7274D Minor substantial A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
May 29, 2000 PLAINWELL, MI N5200K Minor destroyed
the pilot exceeded the proper touchdown point during the landing. Factors associated with the accident were the fence and the ditch which the airplan…

the pilot exceeded the proper touchdown point during the landing. Factors associated with the accident were the fence and the ditch which the airplane contacted.

May 28, 2000 JOHNSON CREEK, ID N7902B Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the rising terrain. Factors include his poor decision to depart without assurance that he could clear t…

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the rising terrain. Factors include his poor decision to depart without assurance that he could clear the surrounding terrain under the ambient conditions, his failure to adhere to the accepted procedure of leaning the fuel mixture for high-altitude takeoff, high density altitude, downdrafts, mountainous terrain, and tress along his departure path.

May 16, 2000 TAPPAHANNOCK, VA N1655E Minor substantial the pilots's inability to maintain aircraft control after a loss of consciosness.
Apr 15, 2000 NEAR MUSKEGON, MI N560SP Minor substantial
the pilot failed to maintain altitude after inadvertently flying to instrument meteorological conditions. Factors associated with the accident were t…

the pilot failed to maintain altitude after inadvertently flying to instrument meteorological conditions. Factors associated with the accident were the low ceilings and visibility, the pilot became disoriented after inadvertently flying into IMC, and the pilot was not instrument rated.

Apr 11, 2000 SEATTLE, WA N38GF Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to attain proper alignment with the landing runway, and her failure to maintain proper glide path for the landing runway, resultin…

The pilot's failure to attain proper alignment with the landing runway, and her failure to maintain proper glide path for the landing runway, resulting in an encounter with vortex turbulence from a preceding heavy aircraft landing on a parallel runway and subsequent loss of aircraft control. Factors included the pilot's lack of total flying experience, and crosswind conditions conducive to a vortex turbulence encounter.

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.
← Cessna 172 For Sale All Cessna Models
Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data
View 407 Cessna 172 for sale ↓