Cessna 172 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 6810 events recorded from 1974 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 15, 2017 | Auburn, WA | N5159U | Incident | substantial |
The failure of the right main landing gear for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that…The failure of the right main landing gear for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. |
| Oct 13, 2017 | Ramsey, MN | N7CF | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
The pilot's decision to fly along the river at a low altitude contrary to applicable regulations and safety of flight considerations which resulted in…The pilot's decision to fly along the river at a low altitude contrary to applicable regulations and safety of flight considerations which resulted in the impact with the power lines. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability to see the and avoid the power lines due to their proximity to a bend in the river and the position of the sun at the time of the accident. |
| Oct 08, 2017 | Black River Falls, WI | N9664Q | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting crosswind conditions. |
| Oct 02, 2017 | Tonopah, NV | N5311H | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to enrich the mixture during the descent, as required by the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH), and his subsequent failure to follo…The pilot's failure to enrich the mixture during the descent, as required by the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH), and his subsequent failure to follow the POH emergency procedures, which resulted in an excessively lean fuel/air mixture and subsequent loss of rpm. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to land on unsuitable terrain despite the availability of two nearby airports. |
| Sep 25, 2017 | Tamuning, USA | N5448K | Incident | substantial | The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in oil exhaustion and a subsequent total loss of engine power during cruise flight. |
| Sep 22, 2017 | Perkinsville, AZ | N7070Q | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
The pilot's decision to fly into a canyon during wind conditions conducive to turbulence and downdrafts, and his subsequent loss of aircraft control w…The pilot's decision to fly into a canyon during wind conditions conducive to turbulence and downdrafts, and his subsequent loss of aircraft control while maneuvering in the canyon. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's limited canyon flying experience. |
| Sep 22, 2017 | Chino, CA | N520KS | Incident | substantial | An in-flight collision with a bird while on downwind. |
| Sep 16, 2017 | Lynchburg, VA | N5396D | Incident | substantial | The pilot's unstabilized approach, which resulted in an aborted go-around, an aerodynamic stall, and a hard landing. |
| Sep 16, 2017 | Gallatin, TN | N5146R | Incident | substantial | The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing. |
| Sep 11, 2017 | Plainville, CT | N54463 | Minor | substantial |
The pilot’s failure to properly execute the go-around, which resulted in the airplane failing to maintain a climb, which resulted in collision with a …The pilot’s failure to properly execute the go-around, which resulted in the airplane failing to maintain a climb, which resulted in collision with a tree. |
| Sep 10, 2017 | Coolin, ID | N5703A | Serious (1) | substantial |
The pilot's decision to take off in high-density altitude and gusting quartering tailwind conditions, which resulted in a loss of lift and an inabilit…The pilot's decision to take off in high-density altitude and gusting quartering tailwind conditions, which resulted in a loss of lift and an inability to gain altitude during the initial climb. |
| Sep 07, 2017 | Bolinas, CA | N737QQ | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The non-instrument rated private pilot's improper decision to embark on a flight and continue to fly into forecasted instrument meteorological conditi…The non-instrument rated private pilot's improper decision to embark on a flight and continue to fly into forecasted instrument meteorological conditions and mountain obscuration while conducting a visual flight rules flight. |
| Sep 03, 2017 | Hekpoort, SF | ZS-JDN | Fatal (2) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Aug 30, 2017 | Belle Fourche, SD | N2982U | Minor | substantial |
The flight instructor's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a go-around in gust…The flight instructor's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a go-around in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. |
| Aug 23, 2017 | Gulf Shores, AL | N97116 | Incident | substantial | The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. |
| Aug 21, 2017 | Balchik, BU | LZ-SPD | Incident | minor | Investigation pending |
| Aug 21, 2017 | Guntersville, AL | N73929 | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control on takeoff. |
| Aug 11, 2017 | New Milford, CT | N1727V | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The flight instructor's failure to ensure that the wing flaps were properly configured for takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of…The flight instructor's failure to ensure that the wing flaps were properly configured for takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control during the initial climb. |
| Aug 09, 2017 | Wellston, OH | N5274Q | Minor | substantial | The failure of a connecting rod small end bushing, which resulted in a loss of engine power. |
| Aug 05, 2017 | Drexel, MO | N8226U | Incident | substantial |
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stal…The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. |
| Aug 02, 2017 | Kearney, NE | N91966 | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion. |
| Jul 31, 2017 | Seattle, WA | N957TA | Minor | substantial |
The total loss of engine power due to oil starvation as a result of the loose right magneto, which allowed oil to escape and the engine to seize. Cont…The total loss of engine power due to oil starvation as a result of the loose right magneto, which allowed oil to escape and the engine to seize. Contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance, which failed to identify the loose magneto bolt. |
| Jul 30, 2017 | Danbury, CT | N612DF | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the ac…The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to operate the airplane above its maximum gross weight, which likely reduced its takeoff performance. |
| Jul 30, 2017 | Carlsbad, CA | N497TC | Incident | substantial | The student pilot’s improper landing flare in gusting wind conditions. |
| Jul 29, 2017 | Big Bear, CA | N5381J | Fatal (2) | substantial |
The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during takeoff in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic…The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during takeoff in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, loss of control, and subsequent impact with terrain. |