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
Oct 11, 2012 Mobile, AL N4939V Incident substantial
The pilot’s failure to perform the before landing checklist and extend the landing gear before touchdown. Contributing to the accident was the designa…

The pilot’s failure to perform the before landing checklist and extend the landing gear before touchdown. Contributing to the accident was the designated pilot examiner’s inadequate remedial action.

Oct 08, 2012 Buckland, AK N8808 Incident substantial The pilot's loss of airplane control during takeoff from an off-airport site, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain.
Oct 08, 2012 Cedar Key, FL N97757 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Sep 25, 2012 Richmond, KY N53720 Incident substantial The student pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the student.
Sep 16, 2012 Eloy, AZ N8293E Incident substantial The pilot's improper flare, and his inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
Sep 15, 2012 Atqasuk, AK N84549 Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control while performing a high-speed taxi in windy conditions.
Sep 11, 2012 Salina, KS N824KS Incident substantial The flight instructor's improper flare in gusty wind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing.
Sep 09, 2012 Phillipsburg, OH N2484L Incident substantial The pilot’s improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Sep 03, 2012 Sebring, FL N9965P Incident substantial The student pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Sep 01, 2012 Farmingdale, NY N2409E Incident substantial The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Aug 31, 2012 Canadensis, PA N391R Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to attain a proper glidepath.
Aug 30, 2012 Bardstown, KY N21214 Incident substantial
The flight instructor's decision to turn the fuel selector to the off position and his delayed remedial actions to restart the engine, which resulted …

The flight instructor's decision to turn the fuel selector to the off position and his delayed remedial actions to restart the engine, which resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent forced landing.

Aug 28, 2012 Sand Point, ID N3082E Incident substantial
A deer strike during the landing flare. Contributing to the accident was the airport’s lack of any deer incursion prevention measures, such as an airp…

A deer strike during the landing flare. Contributing to the accident was the airport’s lack of any deer incursion prevention measures, such as an airport perimeter fence.

Aug 23, 2012 Lyman, MS N65747 Incident substantial The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff as a result of his attempt to close an unsecured cockpit window.
Aug 14, 2012 Everett, WA N863CP Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Aug 01, 2012 Oshkosh, WI N462TR Incident substantial The flight instructor’s loss of directional control during landing, which resulted in a collision with a runway light.
Jul 25, 2012 Ashland, OR N738AJ Incident substantial The student pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Jul 21, 2012 Hammond, NY N6778H Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing in gusting wind conditions.
Jul 18, 2012 St. Augustine, FL N127EP Incident substantial Undetermined due to a lack of information about when the damage to the airplane occurred.
Jul 16, 2012 Rockford, ID N5204K Incident substantial
A partial loss of engine power during cruise flight due to the failure of the No. 3 cylinder exhaust valve for reasons that could not be determined du…

A partial loss of engine power during cruise flight due to the failure of the No. 3 cylinder exhaust valve for reasons that could not be determined due to the damage to the valve head and the missing valve stem. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s improper approach to the runway, which resulted in an aborted landing and subsequent off-airport landing.

Jul 10, 2012 Grand Forks, ND N548ND Incident substantial The student pilot’s inadequate landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Jul 09, 2012 Allentown, PA N680MA Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a touch-and-go takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and a subsequent impac…

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a touch-and-go takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and a subsequent impact with a gopher hole, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the student pilot and his delayed remedial action.

Jul 04, 2012 Greers Ferry, AR N84279 Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain a positive rate of climb while taking off with a high density altitude.
Jun 27, 2012 Smyrna, TN N80985 Incident substantial The pilot’s inadequate flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a hard landing.
Jun 26, 2012 West Palm Beach, FL N961MC Incident substantial
The flight instructor’s failure to maintain airplane control during the takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the…

The flight instructor’s failure to maintain airplane control during the takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s decision to conduct takeoffs and landings in conditions exceeding the airplane’s maximum demonstrated crosswind capability.

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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