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
Oct 12, 1995 NORWICH, VT N70080 Fatal (2) destroyed
loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s), during a low altitude operation. A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of suitable terrain…

loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s), during a low altitude operation. A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

Oct 10, 1995 BAYFIELD, CO N4834V Fatal (3) destroyed THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT DIVERTING ATTENTION WHILE LOOKING FOR GAME.
Oct 04, 1995 CATON, NY N9461E Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot's improper IFR procedure by failing to maintain proper altitude, while on the initial approach for an ILS. A factor relating to the acciden…

The pilot's improper IFR procedure by failing to maintain proper altitude, while on the initial approach for an ILS. A factor relating to the accident was: failure of the tower controller to issue a safety advisory.

Sep 29, 1995 ST. JOHNS, AZ N8034L Fatal (2) destroyed the pilot's failure to assure that the seat adjustment pin was properly engaged prior to takeoff.
Sep 13, 1995 WITTER, AR N61899 Fatal (3) destroyed
failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from high/wooded terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, high terrai…

failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from high/wooded terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, high terrain, and foggy weather conditions. Also, the pilot's use of Methamphetamine (not approved by the FAA) was a possible factor.

Sep 03, 1995 ORR, MN N828MB Fatal (1) destroyed
the pilot misjudged the landing flare. Factors associated with the accident were the visual illusion caused by the glassy smooth water condition and …

the pilot misjudged the landing flare. Factors associated with the accident were the visual illusion caused by the glassy smooth water condition and the forward center of gravity.

Sep 01, 1995 PORTLAND, ME N6564H Fatal (3) destroyed
an engine malfunction for an undetermined reason, and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a forced landing which resulted in an accelerate…

an engine malfunction for an undetermined reason, and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a forced landing which resulted in an accelerated stall. A factor was the pilot's lack of recent experience.

Aug 26, 1995 KINGSWOOD TWSP, NJ N64380 Fatal (1) destroyed Failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees.
Aug 05, 1995 QUILCENE, WA N1464U Fatal (2) substantial
THE PILOT'S CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE MOUNTAINS. FACTORS IN THE A…

THE PILOT'S CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE MOUNTAINS. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE CLOUDS AND MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

Jul 15, 1995 NAKNEK, AK N9827T Fatal (2) destroyed INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA-18. THE PA-18 PILOT'S DIVERTED ATTENTION WAS A RELATED FACTOR.
Jul 07, 1995 FT. LAUDERDALE, FL N9324B Fatal (2) destroyed
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AFTER A MOMENTARY LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING TAKEOFF, RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN. THE REASO…

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AFTER A MOMENTARY LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING TAKEOFF, RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN. THE REASON FOR POWER LOSS COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

Jun 19, 1995 VIDAL JUNCTION, CA N739KJ Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot's failure to maintain an altitude adequate to avoid the mountainous/hilly terrain. Contributing to the accident was the glare from the setti…

The pilot's failure to maintain an altitude adequate to avoid the mountainous/hilly terrain. Contributing to the accident was the glare from the setting sun.

May 28, 1995 LOVELOCK, NV N4773E Fatal (4) destroyed the pilot's intentional flight at low altitude and subsequent collision with transmission wires during dusk light conditions.
May 27, 1995 WESTON, WV N5085G Fatal (2) destroyed the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall, and a subsequent uncontrolled descent and collision with the ground.
May 12, 1995 TAPPAHANOCK, VA N5238F Fatal (1) destroyed
The student pilot's misjudgment of distance/speed during the approach to land, and her failure to go around while there was still sufficient runway re…

The student pilot's misjudgment of distance/speed during the approach to land, and her failure to go around while there was still sufficient runway remaining. Factors related to the accident were: inadequate supervision by the flight instructor, the student's lack of recent flying experience, and the student pilot becaming lost or disoriented during the solo cross-country flight.

Apr 24, 1995 ST. JOHNS, CA N31083 Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Apr 24, 1995 TSAILE, AZ N2587Y Fatal (4) destroyed THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN TERRAIN CLEARANCE. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF MOUNTAIN FLYING EXPERIENCE AND THE RISING TERRAIN.
Apr 22, 1995 ATLANTA, GA N3220E Fatal (1) substantial
THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT OF JUDGMENT AND PERFORMANCE DUE TO A DRUG, VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, AND FAILURE TO REMAIN CLEAR OF…

THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT OF JUDGMENT AND PERFORMANCE DUE TO A DRUG, VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, AND FAILURE TO REMAIN CLEAR OF THE OBSTACLE (TOWERING SMOKE STACK). FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Apr 09, 1995 SENECA, SC N8197U Fatal (1) substantial THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT WHILE MANEUVERING NEAR UTILITY LINES, WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH THE WIRES.
Apr 07, 1995 ELDERSBURG, MD N20819 Fatal (3) destroyed
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER AIRSPEED. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REMOVE CARBURETOR HEAT DURING THE GO-AROUND AND …

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER AIRSPEED. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REMOVE CARBURETOR HEAT DURING THE GO-AROUND AND THE PRESENCE OF A TAILWIND.

Mar 30, 1995 NAPLES, NY N96746 Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors contributing to the accident were: the night conditions, fog, low …

The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors contributing to the accident were: the night conditions, fog, low ceiling, and hilly terrain.

Mar 28, 1995 VENICE, FL N2196E Fatal (2) substantial
INTENTIONAL VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND, FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL, SPATIAL DISORIENTATION, AND ALTITUDE INADE…

INTENTIONAL VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND, FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL, SPATIAL DISORIENTATION, AND ALTITUDE INADEQUATE FOR RECOVERY FOLLOWING THE IN FLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL.

Feb 09, 1995 POPE VALLEY, CA N4345L Fatal (1) destroyed the pilot's poor judgment to buzz the lake and his inadequate visual lookout.
Feb 02, 1995 MINTONVILLE, KY N734KV Fatal (2) destroyed
THE FLIGHTCREW'S INTENTIONAL VFR FLIGHT INTO KNOWN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. A FACTOR WAS THE INADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO PREVENT AN INADVERTEN…

THE FLIGHTCREW'S INTENTIONAL VFR FLIGHT INTO KNOWN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. A FACTOR WAS THE INADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO PREVENT AN INADVERTENT COLLISION WITH AN OBSTRUCTION.

Jan 14, 1995 BLYN, WA N1535E Fatal (3) destroyed THE PILOT'S VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE DARK NIGHT.
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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