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
Mar 20, 2013 Gila Bend, AZ N421ER Incident substantial The student pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from an above-ground fuel tank while taxiing.
Mar 17, 2013 Pontiac, MI N7282Q Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control after an unexplained increase in engine power while taxiing.
Mar 16, 2013 Kremmling, CO N7407A Incident substantial The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing.
Mar 15, 2013 Hendersonville, NC N61756 Incident substantial The student pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during an attempted go-around in gusty tailwind conditions.
Mar 04, 2013 Bardstown, KY N89847 Incident substantial The student pilot’s improper flare during a crosswind landing, which resulted in a hard landing.
Mar 02, 2013 Nampa, ID N8713U Incident substantial The failure of the pilot of another airplane, who was taxiing with no intent for flight, to maintain proper visual lookout.
Feb 24, 2013 Vineland, MN N76NG Incident substantial The pilot’s decision to attempt a touch-and-go landing on a narrow, ice-covered road with snow banks on each side.
Feb 18, 2013 Valparaiso, FL N98598 Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing in gusting wind conditions.
Feb 12, 2013 Jenison, MI N12989 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing on an ice- and snow-covered runway in crosswind conditions.
Feb 07, 2013 Idabel, OK N7974G Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Feb 02, 2013 Wilcox, AZ N1421V Incident substantial
The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any abnormalities that would have pr…

The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any abnormalities that would have precluded normal operation.

Feb 01, 2013 Murphysboro, IL N546A Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during the takeoff roll.
Jan 24, 2013 Peoria, IL N5113J Incident substantial
The pilot’s inadvertent activation of the electric trim to the nose-down position, which resulted in the airplane being improperly configured for take…

The pilot’s inadvertent activation of the electric trim to the nose-down position, which resulted in the airplane being improperly configured for takeoff, and the flight instructor’s incorrect remedial action that allowed the airplane to porpoise.

Jan 18, 2013 Redmond, OR N6290V Incident substantial Failure of the left main landing gear pivot assembly during the landing approach.
Dec 21, 2012 Eveleth, MN N9660H Incident substantial The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard nosewheel landing.
Dec 07, 2012 Arcola, TX N172BJ Incident substantial
The loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal a…

The loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Dec 01, 2012 McKinney, TX N737TY Incident substantial The pilot’s inadequate flare, which resulted in a hard nosewheel landing.
Nov 18, 2012 Poplar Grove, IL N4811G Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing.
Nov 15, 2012 Lexington, KY N9985B Incident substantial
The rupture of the landing gear’s hydraulic pressure hose, which resulted in the depletion of all of the hydraulic fluid, and the inability of the lan…

The rupture of the landing gear’s hydraulic pressure hose, which resulted in the depletion of all of the hydraulic fluid, and the inability of the landing gear to raise or lower. Contributing to the accident was the installation of an unapproved hydraulic hose by unknown maintenance personnel.

Nov 15, 2012 Moline, IL N6231F Incident substantial The student pilot's misjudgment of the landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing.
Nov 03, 2012 Van Nuys, CA N545ER Incident minor The pilot of another airplane did not maintain a proper visual lookout during taxi, which resulted in an on-ground collision.
Nov 02, 2012 McKinney, TX N172FU Incident substantial The student pilot's loss of directional control during landing.
Oct 20, 2012 Indian Trail, NC N2879U Incident substantial
The pilot’s improper use of flaps for takeoff, which resulted in the airplane’s failure to attain adequate climb airspeed and subsequent collision wil…

The pilot’s improper use of flaps for takeoff, which resulted in the airplane’s failure to attain adequate climb airspeed and subsequent collision will trees during takeoff.

Oct 20, 2012 Weyers Cave, VA N1431F Incident substantial The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Oct 20, 2012 Miami, FL N974BC Incident substantial The flight instructor's improper power management during a steep, obstacle-clearance approach, 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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