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
May 07, 1991 BUNNELL, FL N7270G Minor substantial LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT DUE TO A FOREIGN OBJECT WHICH RESTRICTED THE MOVEMENT OF THE ELEVATOR FLIGHT CONTROL.
Apr 22, 1991 STEAMBOAT SPRIN, CO N6231K Minor substantial THE CFI USED POOR JUDGEMENT IN GIVING A SIMULATED ENGINE FAILURE BY TURNING OFF THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE.
Apr 14, 1991 PLEASANT VALLEY, NY N5232K Minor destroyed THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT OF N5232K TO MAINTAIN VISUAL CONTACT AND SEPARATION WITH N9763U.
Apr 09, 1991 MOREHEAD, KY N3781F Minor substantial THE PILOT'S OPERATION OF HIS AIRCRAFT IN EXCEEDINGLY HIGH WIND CONDITIONS.
Mar 31, 1991 LA JUNTA, CO N6904X Minor substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED AND THE RESULTANT INADVERTENT STALL. THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO RAISE THE FLAPS WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCI…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED AND THE RESULTANT INADVERTENT STALL. THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO RAISE THE FLAPS WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

Mar 14, 1991 PANAMA CITY, FL N88FP Minor substantial CARBURETOR ICING DUE TO IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT BY THE PILOT, RESULTING IN A FORCED LANDING AND DITCHING.
Mar 09, 1991 MIAMISBURG, OH N64937 Minor substantial THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING LANDING IN A STRONG CROSSWIND.
Dec 26, 1990 YUCCA VALLEY, CA N5258D Minor substantial
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FLAPS. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE LOSS OF CONTROL DURING TAILWIND LANDING, AND HIS TAILWIND AND THE PILOT'S…

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FLAPS. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE LOSS OF CONTROL DURING TAILWIND LANDING, AND HIS TAILWIND AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE INFLIGHT PLANNING.

Dec 04, 1990 BIG BEAR CITY, CA N12943 Minor substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING TAKEOFF AND HIS INCORRECT USE OF FULL FLAPS. FACTORS RELATED TO THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE CON…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING TAKEOFF AND HIS INCORRECT USE OF FULL FLAPS. FACTORS RELATED TO THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE CONDITION AND TO THE PILOT'S ABRUPT AIRPLANE HANDLING TECHNIQUES.

Nov 26, 1990 GRANBURY, TX N46383 Minor substantial TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS, AND THE DARKNESS OF THE NIGHT.
Nov 03, 1990 ELKTON, VA N902ZZ Minor substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT WHICH RESULTED IN A REDUCTION IN ENGINE POWER. A FACTOR WAS THE ROUGH TERRAIN.
Nov 02, 1990 ABILENE, TX N5096D Minor substantial PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR GUSTY WIND CONDITION.
Oct 27, 1990 PORTAGE, WI N738AP Minor substantial THE PIC BECAME LOST AND DISORIENTATED AND PERFORMED A PREMATURE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING.
Oct 04, 1990 EMPORIA, KS N3226L Minor substantial GUSTY CROSSWINDS, EXCESSIVE FLAP SETTING, AND LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF OPERATION.
Oct 04, 1990 MIDLAND, MI N2592Y Minor substantial
THE PILOT DID NOT REFUEL RESULTING IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE INADVERTENT STALL ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FORCED LANDING WAS ALS…

THE PILOT DID NOT REFUEL RESULTING IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE INADVERTENT STALL ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FORCED LANDING WAS ALSO A CAUSE.

Sep 30, 1990 ANCHORAGE, AK N6523H Minor substantial
THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT DUE TO CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL, AND HIS IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE S…

THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT DUE TO CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL, AND HIS IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.

Sep 21, 1990 HUNTINGTON, IN N8259U Minor destroyed THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING ENSURING SUFFICIENT FUEL FOR THE INTENDED FLIGHT.
Aug 24, 1990 PALMETTO, GA N6173E Minor substantial
THE PILOT'S OPERATION OF THE AIRPLANE WITH KNOWN MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED CONDITION OF THE MAGN…

THE PILOT'S OPERATION OF THE AIRPLANE WITH KNOWN MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED CONDITION OF THE MAGNETOS.

Aug 20, 1990 BROKEN ARROW, OK N73571 Minor substantial THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF.
Aug 16, 1990 GOLETA, CA N80981 Minor destroyed THE LOSS OF ENGINE OIL PRESSURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.
Aug 07, 1990 ELMENDORF, TX N1466V Minor destroyed INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY BOTH PILOTS IN THE T-38 AND BY THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI) IN THE CESSNA 172.
Jul 29, 1990 MIDWAY, TN N8091X Minor substantial TOTAL FAILURE OF THE NUMBER FOUR EXHAUST VALVE, RESULTING IN ENGINE POWER LOSS AND THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING OF THE AIRPLANE.
Jul 19, 1990 GRACETON, MN N7895G Minor substantial VSO AIRSPEED NOT MAINTAINED AND STALL ENCOUNTERED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND/CFI.
Jul 13, 1990 YAMHILL, OR N733GJ Minor destroyed THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO RETRACT THE FLAPS DURING GO-AROUND.
Jun 22, 1990 BROOKVILLE, OH N715HR Minor substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN POSITIVE CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHILE ENCOUNTERING GUSTY, SHIFTY WINDS AND WINDSHEAR DURING THE INITIAL CLIMBOUT AFTE…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN POSITIVE CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHILE ENCOUNTERING GUSTY, SHIFTY WINDS AND WINDSHEAR DURING THE INITIAL CLIMBOUT AFTER TAKEOFF.

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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