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
Dec 03, 1994 MIAMI, FL N707PP Fatal (1) The passenger committed suicide.
Nov 30, 1994 LAWTON, OK N7099A Fatal (1) substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED DURING TAKEOFF RESULTING IN A STALL. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF THE DOWNWIND RUNWAY AND H…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED DURING TAKEOFF RESULTING IN A STALL. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF THE DOWNWIND RUNWAY AND HIS FAILURE TO USE ALL AVAILABBLE RUNWAY.

Nov 18, 1994 DEMING, NM N54378 Fatal (2) destroyed THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE IN MOUTAINOUS TERRAIN. FACTORS WERE RISING TERRAIN AND GUSTY, HIGH WIND CONDITIONS.
Nov 15, 1994 SPRINGERVILLE, AZ N7178G Fatal (3) destroyed
the pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. The pilot's diverted attention and overconfidence i…

the pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. The pilot's diverted attention and overconfidence in the aircraft's ability to fly slow were factors in this accident.

Nov 13, 1994 LOUISVILLE, GA N8200L Fatal (2) destroyed THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM TREES DURING A LOW PASS MANEUVER. A FACTOR WAS THE TREES AT THE VICINITY OF THE LOW PASS.
Nov 09, 1994 KLAMATH FALLS, OR N584WA Fatal (1) destroyed
THE VFR PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE WITH THE MOUN…

THE VFR PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE WITH THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN BELOW HIM. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS A DOWNDRAFT.

Oct 31, 1994 GERTON, NC N5338D Fatal (4) destroyed THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION AND HIS INTENTIONAL VISUAL FLIGHT INTO IMC.
Oct 09, 1994 FANCY GAP, VA N734NB Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot's inadequate inflight planning and his failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance. Other related factors are: fog, rain, VFR flight in…

The pilot's inadequate inflight planning and his failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance. Other related factors are: fog, rain, VFR flight into IMC, inexperience and mountainous terrain.

Oct 08, 1994 OCHOPEE, FL N4851D Fatal (3) destroyed THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHILE MANEUVERING RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT UNTIL IMPACT IN A SWAMP.
Sep 05, 1994 TRUCKEE, CA N3745B Fatal (4) destroyed
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED TO CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL AND SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH THE GROUND. …

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED TO CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL AND SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH THE GROUND. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, IMPROPER TRIM SETTING FOR TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE'S EXCESSIVE GROSS WEIGHT, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE MAKE/MODEL OF AIRPLANE.

Sep 03, 1994 JACKPOT, NV N21704 Fatal (1) destroyed
the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to spatial disorientation during a moonless night departure over an area without ground reference…

the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to spatial disorientation during a moonless night departure over an area without ground reference lights. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of instrument training and experience.

Aug 26, 1994 LARAMIE, WY N79444 Fatal (2) destroyed THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM TERRAIN. DOWNDRAFT WIND ON THE LEE SIDE OF THE RIDGELINE WAS A FACTOR.
Aug 16, 1994 BIG LAKE, AK N5198A Fatal (2) destroyed THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE FOG, AND THE PILOT BECOMING LOST/DISORIENTED.
Aug 14, 1994 ATLANTA, GA N9340D Fatal (2) substantial
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning in that he operated the aircraft at a weight which exceeded the maximum takeoff weight and his improper use …

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning in that he operated the aircraft at a weight which exceeded the maximum takeoff weight and his improper use of flaps during takeoff.

Jul 18, 1994 PATOS ISLAND, WA N7417G Fatal (1) substantial
THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT OF JUDGMENT AND PERFORMANCE DUE TO DRUGS (MARIJUANA), AND HIS IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO MAIN…

THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT OF JUDGMENT AND PERFORMANCE DUE TO DRUGS (MARIJUANA), AND HIS IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE FROM TREES, WHILE TAKING OFF TOWARD THE CLOSED END OF A COVE.

Jul 17, 1994 SACRAMENTO, CA N1259U Fatal (4) destroyed
the failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering after takeoff and his failure to retract the flaps prior to departure. A fac…

the failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering after takeoff and his failure to retract the flaps prior to departure. A factor in this accident was the pilot's lack of recent experience.

Jul 15, 1994 INDIAN SHORES, FL N2827V Fatal (1) destroyed A BIRD COLLISION, WHICH RESULTED IN PILOT INCAPACITATION.
Jul 13, 1994 TROUT RUN, PA N3150E Fatal (2) destroyed the delayed decision of the pilot to deviate from known weather which resulted in an inflight loss of control and impact with terrain.
Jul 12, 1994 RUNNING SPRINGS, CA N64193 Fatal (1) destroyed
the flying pilot's operation of the aircraft at an altitude that did not provide sufficient terrain clearance necessary to recover from an inadvertent…

the flying pilot's operation of the aircraft at an altitude that did not provide sufficient terrain clearance necessary to recover from an inadvertent, pilot-induced stall.

Jun 21, 1994 PORT ANGELES, WA N8025B Fatal (1) destroyed LACK OF OIL AND CONNECTING ROD FAILURE. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN.
May 31, 1994 ROOSEVELT, AZ N6305J Fatal (1) destroyed
the pilot's selection of an inadequate terrain clearance altitude while maneuvering over a lake. A factor in the accident was the calm glassy water c…

the pilot's selection of an inadequate terrain clearance altitude while maneuvering over a lake. A factor in the accident was the calm glassy water conditions which may have affected the pilot's perception of his actual height above the water.

May 28, 1994 RICHMOND, IN N733DW Fatal (1) destroyed INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOTS OF BOTH AIRPLANES.
May 13, 1994 ARLINGTON, TX N98723 Fatal (2) destroyed THE PILOT'S LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON, WHILE MANEUVERING IN THE VICINITY OF THE AIRPORT.
Apr 09, 1994 JULIAN, CA N6242D Fatal (1) destroyed IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT(S). FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE HIGH/MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Mar 16, 1994 DULCE, NM N4663V Fatal (4) destroyed FAILURE BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO PROPERLY PLAN THE FLIGHT AND CALCULATE PERFORMANCE DATA.
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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