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
Mar 04, 1996 KETCHIKAN, AK N739YR Minor substantial loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of a suitable area for an emergency landing.
Feb 24, 1996 WEST JORDAN, UT N76027 Minor destroyed improper installation of the airplane's carburetor fuel lines by maintenance personnel.
Feb 18, 1996 JACKSON, MS N166F Minor substantial
loss of engine power during takeoff for undetermined reason(s). A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of suitable terrain for a forced land…

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

Jan 08, 1996 LANTANA, FL N800PB Minor substantial Loss of engine power for an undetermined reason, while over water, which resulted in a forced landing/ditching at sea.
Dec 17, 1995 BRYCEVILLE, FL N75938 Minor substantial
The pilot's improper planning/decision. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's inaccurate evaluation of the weather conditions, the pilot…

The pilot's improper planning/decision. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's inaccurate evaluation of the weather conditions, the pilot becoming lost/disoriented, and the lack of braking action on wet grass during the precautionary landing.

Nov 27, 1995 KASILOF, AK N4231F Minor substantial The pilot's inadvertent liftoff, and an inoperative elevator that became jammed due to frozen slush/snow.
Nov 25, 1995 NORA SPRINGS, IA N6094R Minor substantial
the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, which resulted in loss of airspeed and a stall/mush as he was maneuvering to avoid obstructions…

the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, which resulted in loss of airspeed and a stall/mush as he was maneuvering to avoid obstructions off the end of the runway. Factors relating to the accident were: the unfavorable wind condition, high obstructions, and the airplane's excessive gross weight.

Oct 08, 1995 CROCKETT, TX N738DF Minor substantial
failure of both magnetos to operate properly due to inadequate maintenance by other maintenance personnel. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain …

failure of both magnetos to operate properly due to inadequate maintenance by other maintenance personnel. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain available for the forced landing.

Oct 01, 1995 SAVANNAH, GA N9553H Minor substantial
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for a precautionary landing, and his failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle (road sign) during the…

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for a precautionary landing, and his failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle (road sign) during the landing.

Sep 09, 1995 KERRVILLE, TX N4918G Minor substantial the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation and his failure to use all the available runway. A factor was the dark night.
Sep 01, 1995 BONHAM, TX N5798J Minor substantial THE PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. FACTORS WERE THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Aug 26, 1995 PUT-IN-BAY, OH N3680L Minor substantial
THE PILOT'S DELAY IN ABORTING THE LANDING AFTER SELECTING THE WRONG RUNWAY. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: GARBLED RADIO TRANSMISSIONS ON THE…

THE PILOT'S DELAY IN ABORTING THE LANDING AFTER SELECTING THE WRONG RUNWAY. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: GARBLED RADIO TRANSMISSIONS ON THE UNICOM FREQUENCY, AND THE RESULTANT TAILWIND FOR LANDING.

Aug 26, 1995 CLARKSTON, MI N738CL Minor substantial the pilot's failure to refuel.
Aug 20, 1995 PORT WASHINGTON, WI N55404 Minor substantial the failure of the #2 cylinder due to fatigue cracking. A factor was the soft terrain.
Aug 20, 1995 HOPEDALE, MA N8885V Minor destroyed
the student pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with a fence and a …

the student pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with a fence and a building.

Jul 30, 1995 NORTH POLE, AK N9192R Minor substantial IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION, WHEN THERE WAS AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL TO REACH THE DESTINATION.
Jul 24, 1995 RENO, NV N65923 Minor substantial
the pilot's loss of directional control during a crosswind landing using full flaps and the lack of familiarity with the crosswind landing component c…

the pilot's loss of directional control during a crosswind landing using full flaps and the lack of familiarity with the crosswind landing component chart for the aircraft.

Jul 23, 1995 CARLSBAD, CA N7141J Minor substantial
The pilot's poorly planned approach, misjudged distance/altitude, and failure to make a go-around. The pilot inadvertently becoming lost and disorien…

The pilot's poorly planned approach, misjudged distance/altitude, and failure to make a go-around. The pilot inadvertently becoming lost and disoriented was a factor in this accident.

Jul 22, 1995 WYANDOTTE, IN N8599U Minor substantial
the number three intake valve became stuck (seized), which resulted in a loss of engine power. The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was …

the number three intake valve became stuck (seized), which resulted in a loss of engine power. The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a related factor.

Jun 28, 1995 LAKE PLACID, FL N96567 Minor substantial
TOTAL FAILURE OF THE FUEL VENT SYSTEM RESULTING IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING CRUISE FLIGHT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INADEQUA…

TOTAL FAILURE OF THE FUEL VENT SYSTEM RESULTING IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING CRUISE FLIGHT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION FOR FAILURE OF THE MECHANIC TO IDENTIFY THAT THE VENTED AND NON-VENTED FUEL CAPS WERE INCORRECTLY POSITIONED.

Jun 25, 1995 ANAKTUVUK, AK N4278Q Minor substantial
THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALU…

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION, AND THE WEATHER AND TERRAIN CONDITIONS.

Jun 07, 1995 ST. PETERSBUG, FL N129EP Minor substantial
The pilot-in-command's/CFI improper supervision of the dual student on landing rollout. This resulted in an on ground loss of control (directional con…

The pilot-in-command's/CFI improper supervision of the dual student on landing rollout. This resulted in an on ground loss of control (directional control not maintained), and subsequent nose over.

May 07, 1995 COLUSA, CA N7358T Minor destroyed
the pilot's selection of an inadequate en route cruise altitude for the aerial observation flight, and his failure to identify and stop an inadvertent…

the pilot's selection of an inadequate en route cruise altitude for the aerial observation flight, and his failure to identify and stop an inadvertent descent while flying over flooded terrain at a very low altitude. Lack of pilot experience in low level operations and glassy water were factors in this accident.

May 01, 1995 TWISP, WA N2548Y Minor substantial
THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A NOSE LANDING GEAR ASSEMBLY BOLT (NO COTTER KEY INSTALLED) BY UNKNOWN MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL. THIS LED TO A FAILURE OF T…

THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A NOSE LANDING GEAR ASSEMBLY BOLT (NO COTTER KEY INSTALLED) BY UNKNOWN MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL. THIS LED TO A FAILURE OF THE NOSE LANDING GEAR STEERING AND SUBSEQUENT NOSEOVER DURING LANDING ROLLOUT.

Apr 17, 1995 YOLO, CA N80187 Minor substantial the pilot's improper preflight preparation which led to fuel exhaustion.
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.
← Cessna 172 For Sale All Cessna Models
Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data
View 414 Cessna 172 for sale ↓