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 04, 2019 Potts Camp, MS N2876Q Serious (1) substantial The pilot’s delayed use of carburetor heat, which resulted in carburetor icing and a subsequent total loss of engine power.
Nov 25, 2019 Near Puffin Island, Anglesey, UK G-CBXJ Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Nov 17, 2019 Los Andes/San Raphael, CI CC-AMQ Fatal (1) Investigation pending
Nov 17, 2019 DuBois, PA N683SP Incident substantial
The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power, and his subsequent improper landing flare, w…

The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power, and his subsequent improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's improper preflight inspection during which he failed to see that the right fuel cap was not secured.

Nov 13, 2019 Toms River, NJ N2148E Minor substantial
The failure of the Cessna 172N pilot to see and avoid a second airplane while maneuvering in the traffic pattern, which resulted in a midair collision…

The failure of the Cessna 172N pilot to see and avoid a second airplane while maneuvering in the traffic pattern, which resulted in a midair collision. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the Cessna 172N pilot to tune his radio to the correct traffic advisory frequency for the destination airport.

Nov 12, 2019 FallBrook, CA N3803S Incident substantial
The student pilot's use of excessive ground speed while making a right turn when exiting the runway, which resulted in a loss of directional control a…

The student pilot's use of excessive ground speed while making a right turn when exiting the runway, which resulted in a loss of directional control and a runway excursion.

Nov 12, 2019 Pembroke Pines, FL N739UA Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a taxiway sign.
Nov 06, 2019 Vereeniging, SF ZS-DAC Incident Investigation pending
Oct 28, 2019 Augusta, GA N80931 Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to attain sufficient airspeed to climb out of ground effect, which resulted in a descent, loss of directional control, run…

The student pilot's failure to attain sufficient airspeed to climb out of ground effect, which resulted in a descent, loss of directional control, runway excursion, and impact with a fence.

Oct 25, 2019 Swea City, IA N1443E Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to replace the oil filler cap during his preflight inspection, which resulted in oil starvation and a subsequent total loss of eng…

The pilot's failure to replace the oil filler cap during his preflight inspection, which resulted in oil starvation and a subsequent total loss of engine power.

Oct 19, 2019 San Salvador, ES N7381G Fatal (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Oct 15, 2019 Louisville, KY N6097G Incident substantial
The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a porpoised landing, a subsequent hard landing on grass left of the runway, and a nose-o…

The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a porpoised landing, a subsequent hard landing on grass left of the runway, and a nose-over. Contributing to the accident was the student’s self-imposed pressure to land the airplane

Oct 13, 2019 Key West, FL N5522S Serious (1)
The pilot’s and the passenger's improper decision to have the passenger attempt to move a wheel chock while the propeller was turning, which resulted …

The pilot’s and the passenger's improper decision to have the passenger attempt to move a wheel chock while the propeller was turning, which resulted in a serious injury.

Oct 13, 2019 Palmer, AK N7267A Incident substantial
The pilot's delayed application of carburetor heat in weather conditions conducive to carburetor icing, which resulted in a partial loss of engine pow…

The pilot's delayed application of carburetor heat in weather conditions conducive to carburetor icing, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power, a precautionary landing, and impact with terrain.

Oct 10, 2019 Aberdeen, SD N6483B Fatal (1) destroyed The noncertificated pilot’s decision to fly in dark night instrument conditions, resulting in impact with terrain.
Oct 06, 2019 Sultanpur, IN VT-RGF Fatal (2) substantial Investigation pending
Oct 05, 2019 Maharashtra, IN VT-HRP Fatal (1) substantial Investigation pending
Oct 05, 2019 Kaplan, LA N7871U Minor substantial
The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation, a total loss of engine power, and impact with a pole during an off-airport la…

The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation, a total loss of engine power, and impact with a pole during an off-airport landing.

Sep 25, 2019 St. Augustine, FL N309BR Incident substantial The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced, hard landing.
Sep 24, 2019 Manville, NJ N78192 Incident substantial A total loss of engine power due to the ingestion of sealant material that had loosened inside the carburetor airbox.
Sep 23, 2019 Plant City, FL N739RT Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the aborted landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a ditch.
Sep 21, 2019 Baska, Krk Island, HR 9A-DMG Incident substantial Investigation pending
Sep 12, 2019 Hemet, CA N5229F Incident substantial The flight instructor's improper decision to perform a precautionary landing on unsuitable terrain, which resulted in a noseover.
Sep 12, 2019 Phoenix, AZ N796WW Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with runway sig…

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with runway signs while attempting to maneuver back onto the runway.

Sep 10, 2019 Grassy Butte, ND N5347T Serious (1) substantial A total loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel, and the pilot's failure to conduct a preflight inspection.
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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