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
Aug 14, 2016 Fulton, MO N78242 Incident substantial The pilot’s improper landing flare and subsequent improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in the airplane porpoising.
Aug 09, 2016 Arlington, TX N544SP Incident substantial The student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Aug 04, 2016 Everett, WA N4801D Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the building door, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing.
Aug 03, 2016 Palm Springs, CA N5203H Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and a nose over in rough t…

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and a nose over in rough terrain.

Aug 02, 2016 Lewiston, MT N734GM Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to ensure that his seat was adjusted and locked, which resulted in his seat sliding aft during the takeoff roll, and the subsequen…

The pilot's failure to ensure that his seat was adjusted and locked, which resulted in his seat sliding aft during the takeoff roll, and the subsequent loss of directional control and runway excursion.

Aug 02, 2016 Neenah, WI N46459 Incident substantial
A loss of engine power due to oil starvation, which resulted from the pilot, who was not a certified airframe and powerplant mechanic, removing the va…

A loss of engine power due to oil starvation, which resulted from the pilot, who was not a certified airframe and powerplant mechanic, removing the vacuum pump from the engine, and his misconception that he could operate the airplane without the pump.

Aug 02, 2016 Oak Island, NC N24447 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and substantial damage to the firewall.
Jul 31, 2016 Newark, IL N211FC Incident substantial
The failure of the No. 4 cylinder exhaust valve, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and a forced landing. Contributing to the valve fail…

The failure of the No. 4 cylinder exhaust valve, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and a forced landing. Contributing to the valve failure and loss of engine power was the extended time since the last overhaul.

Jul 30, 2016 Kissimmee, FL N1688C Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Jul 29, 2016 MORRISTOWN, NJ N5322P Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain a safe taxi distance from a large turbine-powered airplane, resulting in an encounter of the turbine-powered airplane'…

The pilot's failure to maintain a safe taxi distance from a large turbine-powered airplane, resulting in an encounter of the turbine-powered airplane's jet blast while taxiing.

Jul 28, 2016 Rexburg, ID N3677S Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to retract the flaps during a go-around in high density altitude conditions, resulting in the airplane's inability to clim…

The student pilot's failure to retract the flaps during a go-around in high density altitude conditions, resulting in the airplane's inability to climb and a subsequent collision with terrain and nose over.

Jul 18, 2016 Chesterfield, MO N128RM Incident substantial The student pilot's improper pitch control during the landing flare, which resulted in a porpoise and substantial damage to the firewall.
Jul 17, 2016 Emmett, ID N8184B Incident The failure of both pilots to see and avoid each other during cruise flight, which resulted in a midair collision.
Jul 10, 2016 Kahului, HI N335SP Incident substantial The pilot's incorrect pitch control during the landing flare, which resulted in a porpoise and hard landing.
Jul 08, 2016 San Diego, CA N9488G Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain situational awareness while taxiing, which resulted in an impact with a stationary fuel truck.
Jul 05, 2016 Wonder Lake, IL N6576H Incident substantial
The flight instructor's inadequate supervision and lack of remedial action due to his diverted attention to a radio call, which resulted in the airpla…

The flight instructor's inadequate supervision and lack of remedial action due to his diverted attention to a radio call, which resulted in the airplane landing short of the runway.

Jul 02, 2016 Salmon, ID N7748U Incident substantial
A loss of engine power due to water in the fuel system. Contributing to the accident was an inadequate preflight inspection that failed to eliminate w…

A loss of engine power due to water in the fuel system. Contributing to the accident was an inadequate preflight inspection that failed to eliminate water from the fuel system.

Jul 02, 2016 Pembroke Pines, FL N65645 Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare, which resulted in a runway excursion, and impact with a sign.
Jul 01, 2016 Manhattan, KS N5100V Incident substantial
The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction's omission to use an appropriate checklist and extend the landing gear prior to landing, which r…

The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction's omission to use an appropriate checklist and extend the landing gear prior to landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft's fuselage and bulkhead.

Jul 01, 2016 Bountiful, UT N52071 Incident substantial
The pilot's decision to fly into a canyon without sufficient room to reverse course if necessary, which resulted in an emergency landing, loss of dire…

The pilot's decision to fly into a canyon without sufficient room to reverse course if necessary, which resulted in an emergency landing, loss of directional control, collision with terrain, and a post-crash fire.

Jun 30, 2016 Stamford, TX N9318B Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a hangar during taxi for departure.
Jun 29, 2016 Frederick, MD N2473G Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the touch down resulting in a bounced landing, subsequent hard landing and substantial da…

The student pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the touch down resulting in a bounced landing, subsequent hard landing and substantial damage to the firewall.

Jun 26, 2016 Hollywood, FL N734UF Incident substantial A partial loss of engine power during the initial climb for undetermined reasons.
Jun 26, 2016 Flushing, MI N21553 Incident substantial
The collision with a deer during touchdown of a night landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and elevator of the a…

The collision with a deer during touchdown of a night landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and elevator of the airplane.

Jun 21, 2016 Lancaster, OH N19820 Incident substantial The pilot's improper landing flare in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing.
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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