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
Jul 03, 2019 Montville, ME N1516E Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a low-altitude climbing turn,…

The pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a low-altitude climbing turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

Jun 29, 2019 Greer, SC N724BC Incident substantial
The pilot's improper decision to continue a steep and fast approach to landing, which resulted in a runway overrun and collision with a drainage culve…

The pilot's improper decision to continue a steep and fast approach to landing, which resulted in a runway overrun and collision with a drainage culvert.

Jun 28, 2019 Phoenix, AZ N606JA Incident substantial
The student pilot's improper landing flare and failure to maintain the runway heading, which resulted in the loss of airplane control, and the flight …

The student pilot's improper landing flare and failure to maintain the runway heading, which resulted in the loss of airplane control, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action during a go-around with a crosswind, which resulted in a bounced landing and subsequent impact with a pole.

Jun 22, 2019 Tulsa, OK N9200B Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact wit…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a taxiway sign.

Jun 21, 2019 Fullerton, CA N64460 Incident substantial
Partial loss of engine power during takeoff due to an age-degraded carburetor heat valve seal, which detached and partially blocked the carburetor air…

Partial loss of engine power during takeoff due to an age-degraded carburetor heat valve seal, which detached and partially blocked the carburetor air inlet. Contributing to the accident was an inadequate maintenance inspection.

Jun 14, 2019 Tampa, FL N84402 Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent nose-over.
Jun 09, 2019 Yellow Pine, ID N5344R Incident substantial
The pilot's improper approach, which resulted in the airplane touching down with insufficient runway remaining to stop on the runway, a runway overrun…

The pilot's improper approach, which resulted in the airplane touching down with insufficient runway remaining to stop on the runway, a runway overrun, and subsequent collision with bushes and terrain.

Jun 08, 2019 ORLANDO, FL N1589D Incident substantial
The student pilot's excessive rudder application during takeoff and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a loss of direc…

The student pilot's excessive rudder application during takeoff and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a loss of directional control, a runway excursion, and subsequent substantial damage.

Jun 03, 2019 Culpeper, VA N1930V Incident substantial The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a porpoised landing.
May 23, 2019 Nogalas, AZ N273EB Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a parked fuel truck. Contributing to the accident were the student’s failure to follow…

The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a parked fuel truck. Contributing to the accident were the student’s failure to follow company policy and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.

May 23, 2019 Stafford, VA N64003 Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion.
May 14, 2019 Tomball, TX N8159U Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a left crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent …

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a left crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent nose-over.

May 06, 2019 Red Rock, AZ N8887U Incident substantial A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
May 06, 2019 Auburn, CA N734DX Incident substantial
The pilot's improper retraction of the flaps during a go-around and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an ae…

The pilot's improper retraction of the flaps during a go-around and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

May 01, 2019 Wasilla, AK N3031U Incident substantial
The flight instructor's failure to verify the fuel level, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent force…

The flight instructor's failure to verify the fuel level, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent forced landing and collision with a power line pole. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's inadequate preflight fuel planning.

Apr 23, 2019 Prescott, AZ N1897V Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fence post during taxi operations.
Apr 20, 2019 Scottsdale, AZ N6023V Incident substantial
The pilot's improper rudder inputs and failure to maintain directional control during landing with a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion a…

The pilot's improper rudder inputs and failure to maintain directional control during landing with a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a runway sign.

Apr 11, 2019 Fullteron, CA N9964L Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and nose-over.
Mar 31, 2019 Placerville, CA N7033Q Incident substantial The partial loss of engine power due to an improperly maintained carburetor.
Mar 30, 2019 Fort Myers, FL N4335R Incident substantial The pilot's failure to remain clear of a light pole while taxiing.
Mar 28, 2019 Spring, TX N494JB Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane directional control while taxiing at an unsafe ground speed.
Mar 26, 2019 Pella, IA N7127G Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action during landing, which resulted in the i…

The student pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action during landing, which resulted in the instructor landing the airplane in grass left of the runway and a subsequent nose-over.

Mar 11, 2019 Oskaloosa, IA N334SL Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a left quartering tailwind, which resulted in a runway excursion, impa…

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a left quartering tailwind, which resulted in a runway excursion, impact with a snowbank, and a nose-over.

Mar 09, 2019 Mount Holly, NJ N7367G Incident substantial Failure of the pilot's seat back due to a sheared bolt during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control and runway excursion.
Mar 02, 2019 Scottsdale, AZ N9404F Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading during a go-around with a crosswind, which resulted in the left main landing gear impacting…

The student pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading during a go-around with a crosswind, which resulted in the left main landing gear impacting a runway sign.

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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