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 06, 2019 Auburn, CA N734DX Incident substantial
The pilot's improper retraction of the flaps during a go-around and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an ae…

The pilot's improper retraction of the flaps during a go-around and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

May 01, 2019 Wasilla, AK N3031U Incident substantial
The flight instructor's failure to verify the fuel level, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent force…

The flight instructor's failure to verify the fuel level, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent forced landing and collision with a power line pole. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's inadequate preflight fuel planning.

May 01, 2019 Tyrone, PA N733KZ Fatal (2) substantial The pilot’s continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in controlled flight into trees and terrain.
Apr 30, 2019 New Bern, NC N733UF Minor substantial The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Apr 28, 2019 Edwards Air Force Base, CA N106ED Incident substantial An undetermined event, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Apr 23, 2019 Prescott, AZ N1897V Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fence post during taxi operations.
Apr 20, 2019 Scottsdale, AZ N6023V Incident substantial
The pilot's improper rudder inputs and failure to maintain directional control during landing with a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion a…

The pilot's improper rudder inputs and failure to maintain directional control during landing with a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a runway sign.

Apr 14, 2019 New York, NY N5296H Minor substantial
The pilot's decision to initiate a flight into low instrument flight rules conditions, which resulted in six missed approaches at two airports and a t…

The pilot's decision to initiate a flight into low instrument flight rules conditions, which resulted in six missed approaches at two airports and a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the external pressure the pilot felt to complete the accident flight despite the poor weather conditions.

Apr 11, 2019 Fullteron, CA N9964L Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and nose-over.
Apr 02, 2019 Clemson, SC N54222 Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack when it inad…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll and his exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack when it inadvertently became airborne, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

Mar 31, 2019 Stephenville, TX N902RA Minor substantial
The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control in gusting cr…

The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control in gusting crosswind conditions that exceeded the airplane’s demonstrated crosswind for landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and nose-over.

Mar 31, 2019 Placerville, CA N7033Q Incident substantial The partial loss of engine power due to an improperly maintained carburetor.
Mar 30, 2019 Fort Myers, FL N4335R Incident substantial The pilot's failure to remain clear of a light pole while taxiing.
Mar 28, 2019 Spring, TX N494JB Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane directional control while taxiing at an unsafe ground speed.
Mar 26, 2019 Pella, IA N7127G Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action during landing, which resulted in the i…

The student pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action during landing, which resulted in the instructor landing the airplane in grass left of the runway and a subsequent nose-over.

Mar 14, 2019 Lakeway, TX N8620B Fatal (1) substantial
A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined, and the flight instructor's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of at…

A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined, and the flight instructor's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack while maneuvering for a forced landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control.

Mar 11, 2019 Oskaloosa, IA N334SL Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a left quartering tailwind, which resulted in a runway excursion, impa…

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a left quartering tailwind, which resulted in a runway excursion, impact with a snowbank, and a nose-over.

Mar 09, 2019 Mount Holly, NJ N7367G Incident substantial Failure of the pilot's seat back due to a sheared bolt during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control and runway excursion.
Mar 07, 2019 Skwentna, AK N7469A Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot’s decision to depart into marginal visual flight rule conditions in mountainous terrain with the potential for icing, and the airplane’s acc…

The pilot’s decision to depart into marginal visual flight rule conditions in mountainous terrain with the potential for icing, and the airplane’s accumulation of structural icing, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain airplane control and the subsequent aerodynamic stall and spin into terrain.

Mar 02, 2019 Scottsdale, AZ N9404F Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading during a go-around with a crosswind, which resulted in the left main landing gear impacting…

The student pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading during a go-around with a crosswind, which resulted in the left main landing gear impacting a runway sign.

Mar 01, 2019 Melba, ID N6486J Incident substantial
The total loss of engine power due to a separated carburetor idle mixture adjustment screw and spring assembly for reasons that could not be determine…

The total loss of engine power due to a separated carburetor idle mixture adjustment screw and spring assembly for reasons that could not be determined.

Feb 25, 2019 Bellingham, WA CFHGQ Incident substantial The pilot's improper crosswind correction during taxi operations in gusting crosswind conditions.
Feb 23, 2019 Mansfield, MA N224TA Fatal (2) substantial
The flight instructor's failure to maintain airplane control during initial climb after a touch-and-go landing, which resulted in an exceedance of the…

The flight instructor's failure to maintain airplane control during initial climb after a touch-and-go landing, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall.

Feb 23, 2019 Princeton, NJ N5338N Incident substantial A collision with deer on the runway while landing at night and the airport's lack of a complete perimeter fence.
Feb 21, 2019 Morristown, NJ N83AF Incident substantial
The student pilot's improper rudder input and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of directional …

The student pilot's improper rudder input and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of directional control, a runway excursion, and the landing gear collapsing.

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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