Cessna 172 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 6810 events recorded from 1974 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 29, 2020 | Cypress, TX | N3702R | Incident | substantial | A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. |
| Dec 27, 2020 | Pleasant Valley, NY | N8311X | Minor | substantial | A total loss of engine power due to failure of the magnetos, which were not overhauled in accordance with the manufacturer’s time specifications. |
| Dec 26, 2020 | Locust Grove, GA | N75825 | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control and subsequent runway excursion. |
| Dec 22, 2020 | Culpeper, VA | N505LP | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s decision to land the airplane in crosswind conditions that exceeded the airplane’s maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity. |
| Dec 13, 2020 | San Diego, CA | N5098E | Incident | substantial | A partial loss of engine power due to the fatigue fracture of the No. 3 exhaust valve rocker arm stud. |
| Dec 11, 2020 | Dexter, ME | N19801 | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s loss of directional control while landing, which resulted in an encounter with snow and subsequent nose over. |
| Dec 10, 2020 | Glencoe, MN | N1956V | Serious | — | A bystander’s inadvertent contact with the propeller while the engine was running. |
| Dec 08, 2020 | Dillon, MT | N46017 | Serious (1) | substantial | The student pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle attack during an attempted go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. |
| Dec 04, 2020 | Palm Springs, CA | N737NB | Serious (1) | substantial |
The student pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during an attempted go-around, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical ang…The student pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during an attempted go-around, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, aerodynamic stall, and subsequent impact with terrain. |
| Nov 27, 2020 | Sanford, NC | N53587 | Incident | substantial | The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain. |
| Nov 24, 2020 | Manville, NJ | N23NJ | Incident | substantial |
The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper glidepath while on approach to the runway, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulte…The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper glidepath while on approach to the runway, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in the airplane colliding with a tree on final approach. |
| Nov 20, 2020 | Lawrence, KS | N99HV | Incident | substantial | The student pilot’s improper landing flare/touchdown which resulted in a hard landing. |
| Nov 19, 2020 | Cynthiana, KY | N6203F | Minor | substantial |
The pilot’s failure to maintain proper glide path during a visual approach that was conducted at night, resulting in a collision with trees and terrai…The pilot’s failure to maintain proper glide path during a visual approach that was conducted at night, resulting in a collision with trees and terrain. |
| Nov 19, 2020 | El Paso, TX | N5XY | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s loss of control on takeoff during a touch and go landing, which resulted in a runway excursion. |
| Nov 18, 2020 | Manville, NJ | N734JF | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in a gusty crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and noseover. |
| Nov 18, 2020 | Katale, UG | N7834M | Fatal (1) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Nov 14, 2020 | Howe, ID | N8278B | Minor | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain after an encounter with a downdraft, which resulted in a collision with terrain. |
| Nov 09, 2020 | Arch Cape, OR | N1444V | Fatal (1) | destroyed | The pilot’s descent into the ocean for reasons that could not be determined. |
| Oct 31, 2020 | Billings, MT | N124TW | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The pilot’s failure to maintain the proper descent glide path while on final approach for reasons that could not be determined from available evidence…The pilot’s failure to maintain the proper descent glide path while on final approach for reasons that could not be determined from available evidence. |
| Oct 25, 2020 | Dunnellon, FL | N724BC | Fatal (1) | substantial |
A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulte…A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and loss of control. |
| Oct 24, 2020 | Carefree, AZ | N7029T | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. |
| Oct 24, 2020 | Geuda Springs, KS | N5910A | Incident | substantial |
The pilot’s failure to determine the airplane’s takeoff performance from an off-airport field which resulted in an aborted takeoff and impact with a f…The pilot’s failure to determine the airplane’s takeoff performance from an off-airport field which resulted in an aborted takeoff and impact with a fence and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the delayed aborted takeoff. |
| Oct 17, 2020 | Columbus, MS | N26481 | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during a touch-and-go landing. |
| Oct 13, 2020 | Williston, FL | N6158G | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. |
| Oct 03, 2020 | Hinckley, MN | N4972G | Incident | substantial | The airplane’s impact with deer while landing. |