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
Sep 08, 2019 Mekoryuk, AK N737NJ Incident substantial The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during takeoff in gusting wind conditions.
Sep 05, 2019 Racine, CA C-GSEN Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Sep 02, 2019 La Grange, TX N212BS Incident substantial The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Aug 29, 2019 Denver, CO N53432 Minor substantial A total loss of electrical power for reasons that could not be determined, and the student pilot’s subsequent runway overrun during a no-flap landing.
Aug 28, 2019 McKenzie Bridge, OR N4108F Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot's delayed climb and misjudgment of the airplane’s performance and the runway distance needed to clear obstacles at the end of the runway, wh…

The pilot's delayed climb and misjudgment of the airplane’s performance and the runway distance needed to clear obstacles at the end of the runway, which resulted in a collision with trees and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's insufficient experience landing and taking off at mountain airports.

Aug 18, 2019 Daytona Beach, FL N408ER Incident substantial The pilot entering the taxiway's failure to see and avoid the airplane established on the taxiway
Aug 16, 2019 Pretoria, SF ZS-LMI Fatal (2) substantial Investigation pending
Aug 13, 2019 Jay, FL N84287 Serious (1) substantial The pilot's improper decision to fly over a river at a very low altitude, which resulted in a collision with power lines.
Aug 11, 2019 New Carlisle, OH N8928B Minor substantial
The pilot’s excessive use of pitch control during rotation, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and entering an aero…

The pilot’s excessive use of pitch control during rotation, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and entering an aerodynamic stall shortly after liftoff.

Aug 09, 2019 Chicago, IL N9837L Incident substantial The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, porpoised landing.
Aug 04, 2019 Bayse, VA N424BC Incident substantial The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Aug 04, 2019 Ocean City, MD N197ME Incident substantial The student pilot's improper landing flare with a tailwind, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.
Jul 30, 2019 WESTMINSTER, MD N618PD Minor substantial
The pilot's improper decision to continue the landing with the airplane high and fast during the approach, which resulted in a long landing and a subs…

The pilot's improper decision to continue the landing with the airplane high and fast during the approach, which resulted in a long landing and a subsequent runway overrun and nose-over.

Jul 28, 2019 Oshkosh, WI N79575 Incident substantial
The pilot's improper fuel planning and decision to not divert to a closer airport when the planned flight profile changed, which resulted in a total l…

The pilot's improper fuel planning and decision to not divert to a closer airport when the planned flight profile changed, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

Jul 28, 2019 Mt. Sterling, KY N9548W Incident substantial
The pilot's loss of directional control during the takeoff roll due to distraction by the passenger window being unsecured, which resulted in a runway…

The pilot's loss of directional control during the takeoff roll due to distraction by the passenger window being unsecured, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a runway distance marker. Contributing to the accident was pilot’s failure to ensure that the passenger window was secured.

Jul 23, 2019 Van Nuys, CA N737DW Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a left quartering crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact w…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a left quartering crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with runway lighting.

Jul 22, 2019 Cangkring, ID PK-WUG Fatal (1) substantial Investigation pending
Jul 22, 2019 Kingston, OK N8251L Incident substantial The partial loss of engine power due to a stuck exhaust valve.
Jul 22, 2019 Madras, OR N3761L Minor substantial
A partial loss of power during final approach for undetermined reasons as postaccident examinations did not reveal any preimpact anomalies with the ai…

A partial loss of power during final approach for undetermined reasons as postaccident examinations did not reveal any preimpact anomalies with the airplane or engine.

Jul 21, 2019 Port Townsend, WA N3863L Minor substantial The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on available information.
Jul 19, 2019 Denver, CO N403FR Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during a soft-field takeoff, which resulted in the left wing striking the runway and a runway …

The student pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during a soft-field takeoff, which resulted in the left wing striking the runway and a runway excursion.

Jul 16, 2019 Grand Canyon, AZ N1079M Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during landing in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in the left wing striking the ground.
Jul 16, 2019 Ocean City, MD N9715B Incident substantial A partial loss of power due to the liberation or failure of the No. 2 cylinder's exhaust valve.
Jul 14, 2019 Elkton, FL N35585 Incident substantial
The pilot under instruction's failure to follow the flight instructor’s directions and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action and subsequent …

The pilot under instruction's failure to follow the flight instructor’s directions and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action and subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

Jul 13, 2019 Katy, TX N517LA Fatal (1) destroyed The pilot’s loss of airplane control and subsequent impact with terrain for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
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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