Cessna 172 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 6810 events recorded from 1974 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 11, 2021 | Branchville, NJ | N90559 | Fatal (2) | destroyed | The flight instructor’s failure to recover from a steep spiral turn during an instructional flight. |
| Nov 08, 2021 | Madison, MS | N5321A | Incident | substantial | The student pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control following a bounced landing. |
| Nov 04, 2021 | Decatur, GA | N172XX | Minor | substantial | Oil exhaustion due to an oil leak that resulted in a total loss of engine power. |
| Oct 31, 2021 | STEVENSVILLE, MD | N3HQ | Minor | substantial | An in-flight collision with a bird during initial climb. |
| Oct 28, 2021 | Ukiah, CA | N1870V | Fatal (1) | substantial |
A power interruption due to water-contaminated fuel, which resulted in the student pilot aborting the takeoff and landing hard. Contributing to the ac…A power interruption due to water-contaminated fuel, which resulted in the student pilot aborting the takeoff and landing hard. Contributing to the accident were a leak in the left fuel tank that allowed water to enter and damage to the fuel tank that prevented water from being properly drained during the preflight inspection. |
| Oct 23, 2021 | Westhampton Beach, NY | N1188L | Incident | substantial | A total loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. |
| Oct 21, 2021 | Atlanta, GA | N6888A | Incident | substantial |
The pilot’s loss of directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and a collision with runway approach lighting eq…The pilot’s loss of directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and a collision with runway approach lighting equipment. |
| Oct 17, 2021 | Laurier, WA | N832DC | Incident | substantial |
The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action to prevent the airplane from landing long which, resulted in a runway overrun and collision with terra…The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action to prevent the airplane from landing long which, resulted in a runway overrun and collision with terrain. |
| Oct 10, 2021 | Yapu, OF | HK-5032 | Minor | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Oct 09, 2021 | Statesboro, GA | N8592B | Incident | substantial |
The student pilot’s failure reduce power and apply sufficient braking after landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with objects and …The student pilot’s failure reduce power and apply sufficient braking after landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with objects and terrain. |
| Oct 09, 2021 | Chesterfield, MO | N24783 | Incident | substantial |
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing and the no…The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing and the nose landing gear collapsing. . |
| Oct 06, 2021 | Williston, FL | N78604 | Incident | substantial |
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain on approach which resulted in controlled flight into trees. Contributing to the accident was th…The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain on approach which resulted in controlled flight into trees. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the approach path, the dark night conditions and the landing light being off. |
| Oct 02, 2021 | St-Mathieu-de-Laprairie, OF | C-FFRV | Fatal (1) | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Sep 29, 2021 | Port Orange, FL | N116SV | Incident | substantial |
The separation of the nut from the stud and the fracture of the bolt that secured the crankshaft idler gear to the engine crankcase, which resulted in…The separation of the nut from the stud and the fracture of the bolt that secured the crankshaft idler gear to the engine crankcase, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to the inability of the left crankshaft idler gear assembly to drive of the camshaft. |
| Sep 28, 2021 | Miramar, FL | N4118L | Serious (2) | substantial |
The flight instructor’s inadequate preflight and inflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contri…The flight instructor’s inadequate preflight and inflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the flight instructor’s injury was her failure to wear the shoulder harness. |
| Sep 27, 2021 | Indian Trail, NC | N1401U | Minor | substantial |
The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff and initial climb. Contributing was the pilot’s physical limitation which caused an in…The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff and initial climb. Contributing was the pilot’s physical limitation which caused an inadvertent application of left rudder. |
| Sep 19, 2021 | Grass Valley, CA | N4977G | Incident | substantial |
The pilot’s failure to attain a proper touchdown point on the runway while landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a runway overrun. Con…The pilot’s failure to attain a proper touchdown point on the runway while landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a runway overrun. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction due to an electrical issue. |
| Sep 19, 2021 | Auburn, CA | N84068 | Incident | substantial | The student pilot’s inadequate flare which resulted in a hard and bounced landing. |
| Sep 18, 2021 | Birchwood, AK | N35408 | Incident | substantial | The flight instructor’s inadequate supervision of the student pilot, and student pilot’s improper landing flare, resulting in a hard landing. |
| Sep 15, 2021 | Council Bluffs, IA | N767CG | Incident | substantial | The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during a touch and go landing. |
| Sep 11, 2021 | Kennesaw, GA | N9522L | Incident | substantial | The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing. |
| Sep 10, 2021 | LaSalle, CO | N2099J | Minor | substantial | A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. |
| Sep 10, 2021 | Ruckinge, Kentu, UK | G-CFIO | Incident | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Sep 09, 2021 | Venice, FL | N782JA | Incident | substantial |
Maintenance personnel’s failure to use the correct throttle linkage hardware when reinstalling the engine, resulting in a disconnection of the throttl…Maintenance personnel’s failure to use the correct throttle linkage hardware when reinstalling the engine, resulting in a disconnection of the throttle during flight. |
| Sep 02, 2021 | Enterprise, OR | N3965S | Incident | substantial |
The fatigue fracture of the nose gear upper torque link, which resulted in the separation of the torque link from the shock strut and a loss of direct…The fatigue fracture of the nose gear upper torque link, which resulted in the separation of the torque link from the shock strut and a loss of directional control. |