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 07, 2000 LUBBOCK, TX N5682T Minor substantial
The pilot's incorrect positioning of the fuel selector which resulted in fuel starvation. Factors were the pilot's lack of familiarity with the fuel …

The pilot's incorrect positioning of the fuel selector which resulted in fuel starvation. Factors were the pilot's lack of familiarity with the fuel system due to an inadequate checkout by a flight instructor, and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Mar 07, 2000 MANILLA, AR N20179 Minor substantial The pilot's performance of low altitude flight and his failure to maintain clearance with the power lines.
Jan 17, 2000 LIBERAL, KS N12654 Minor substantial
the pilot not maintaining proper glidepath on the ILS approach, the pilot's improper decision to continue the approach below the glidepath, and the pi…

the pilot not maintaining proper glidepath on the ILS approach, the pilot's improper decision to continue the approach below the glidepath, and the pilot's failure to perform a missed approach. Factors relating to the accident were the low ceiling and visibility, and the fog.

Jan 02, 2000 DOS PALOS, CA N7249T Minor substantial
A partial loss of engine power due to the failure of maintenance personnel to properly install and safety the throttle arm to the carburetor throttle …

A partial loss of engine power due to the failure of maintenance personnel to properly install and safety the throttle arm to the carburetor throttle shaft.

Dec 17, 1999 CONCORD, CA N738UA Minor substantial the pilot's failure to use a checklist and remove the control gust lock.
Dec 12, 1999 SPRINGHILL, LA N739ST Minor substantial
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. Factors were the gusty winds, and the pilo…

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. Factors were the gusty winds, and the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation.

Nov 23, 1999 GREENFIELD, IN N65668 Minor substantial The student pilot not maintaining aircraft control. A contributing factor was the student's aural perception.
Oct 29, 1999 PINEVILLE, LA N5301E Minor substantial The student pilot's misjudgment of distance/speed during approach resulting in his failure to attain the proper touchdown point.
Oct 02, 1999 WOLFEBORO, NH N6921X Minor substantial A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Sep 24, 1999 GALENA, AK N5309R Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to refuel, and the resulting fuel exhaustion. A factor was the dark night which hampered location of a nearby closed, and unlit, …

The pilot's failure to refuel, and the resulting fuel exhaustion. A factor was the dark night which hampered location of a nearby closed, and unlit, airstrip.

Sep 19, 1999 HONEOYE FALLS, NY N6941A Minor substantial the pilot's loss of directional control after landing. A factor in the accident were ruts in the turf runway that were hidden from view.
Sep 11, 1999 DALEVILLE, IN N172DJ Minor substantial A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Jul 22, 1999 PEYTON, CO N5696T Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing touchdown. Factors were the crosswind and the ditch.
Jul 16, 1999 TAFT, CA N46451 Minor substantial
The pilot's selection of the wrong runway in consideration of the wind conditions and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control. The pil…

The pilot's selection of the wrong runway in consideration of the wind conditions and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control. The pilot's decision to abort the landing attempt with inadequate runway remaining for the takeoff phase was also causal.

Jul 12, 1999 FALMOUTH, KY N3213L Minor substantial A stuck intake-valve on the number one cylinder which resulted in a loss of engine power.
Jul 06, 1999 ADDISON, IL N739ND Minor substantial The pilot's improper fuel selector positioning resulting in fuel starvation during cruise.
Jun 15, 1999 NEEDLES, CA N6448B Minor substantial
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind condition and subsequent failure to maintain alignment with the road used for takeoff, whi…

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind condition and subsequent failure to maintain alignment with the road used for takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a construction sign during the initial climb.

Jun 14, 1999 EASTON, WA N62800 Minor substantial
The flight instructor's delayed remedial action. Factors include the student allowing the aircraft to climb too steeply at too low an airspeed, and th…

The flight instructor's delayed remedial action. Factors include the student allowing the aircraft to climb too steeply at too low an airspeed, and the soft/rough terrain on which the aborted takeoff took place.

Jun 13, 1999 SEYMOUR, TN N5494K Minor substantial
The failure of the pilot to perform a go-around earlier resulting in a long landing, insufficient runway remaining to stop, and subsequent in flight c…

The failure of the pilot to perform a go-around earlier resulting in a long landing, insufficient runway remaining to stop, and subsequent in flight collision with a marked power line during an aborted landing.

May 31, 1999 WEST MILFORD, NJ N1223F Minor substantial
The flight instructors failure to maintain climb airspeed during the go-around, which degraded climb performance, resulting in an in-flight collision …

The flight instructors failure to maintain climb airspeed during the go-around, which degraded climb performance, resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors in the accident were, delay in executing a go-around, retracting the flaps to 10 degrees prematurely, and high density altitude.

May 27, 1999 COVINGTON, WA N5120D Minor substantial
The student pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, and his subsequent improper execution of the go-around procedure, resulting in collisi…

The student pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, and his subsequent improper execution of the go-around procedure, resulting in collision with trees off the departure end of the runway. Factors included the student pilot's lack of total experience, and trees off the departure end.

May 20, 1999 MILLINGTON, TN N5363T Minor substantial
Loss of engine power due to undetermined reasons. Factors were weather conditions favorable to carburetor ice and the terrain condition at the forced …

Loss of engine power due to undetermined reasons. Factors were weather conditions favorable to carburetor ice and the terrain condition at the forced landing site.

May 08, 1999 LANCASTER, TX N101PD Minor substantial The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent total loss of engine power.
Apr 25, 1999 LAKE GENEVA, WI N64373 Minor substantial
the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing. Factors contributing to this accident were the variable winds and the…

the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing. Factors contributing to this accident were the variable winds and the ditch.

Apr 14, 1999 LAKELAND, FL N833G Minor destroyed
Failure of the pilot of the other aircraft to maintain a visual lookout and visual separation while on approach for landing. This resulted in a midair…

Failure of the pilot of the other aircraft to maintain a visual lookout and visual separation while on approach for landing. This resulted in a midair collision with another airplane and subsequent in-flight collision with the runway.

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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