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
Jul 29, 2017 Santa Ana, CA N1129K Incident substantial A hard landing and propeller strike for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Jul 28, 2017 Enumclaw, WA N7243T Serious (2) substantial
The pilot's improper approach for landing, which resulted in the airplane landing long, and his delayed decision to go around with insufficient runway…

The pilot's improper approach for landing, which resulted in the airplane landing long, and his delayed decision to go around with insufficient runway remaining, which resulted in collision with an airport perimeter fence.

Jul 24, 2017 Powell, WY N6470E Incident substantial The student pilot’s improper landing flare and subsequent failure to relinquish the flight controls, which resulted in a hard landing.
Jul 20, 2017 Factoryville, PA N4876F Incident substantial The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point, which resulted in a runway overrun.
Jul 16, 2017 San Diego, CA N5396E Incident minor The other pilot's failure to maintain separation from a stationary airplane during the taxi to the runway.
Jul 16, 2017 Khuzhir, RS RA-2842G Serious (3) substantial Investigation pending
Jul 14, 2017 Key Biscayne, FL N80457 Minor substantial
The nearly complete blockage of the right fuel tank strainer with organic material, which resulted in fuel starvation and the subsequent total loss of…

The nearly complete blockage of the right fuel tank strainer with organic material, which resulted in fuel starvation and the subsequent total loss of engine power. Contributing to the fuel starvation was the pilot receiving instruction’s and the flight instructor’s failure to identify that the fuel was burning unevenly during the flight.

Jul 09, 2017 Manassas, VA N80399 Incident substantial The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a porpoised landing.
Jul 07, 2017 Cape Coral, FL N2492U Minor substantial
A total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination with water and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection that detected, but did not fully res…

A total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination with water and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection that detected, but did not fully resolve, the water contamination of the fuel system.

Jul 03, 2017 Shreveport, LA N2173Z Incident substantial The student’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Jul 02, 2017 Tucson, AZ N4482L Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain pitch and yaw control during the landing roll in crosswind conditions.
Jul 02, 2017 Tamuning, USA N80328 Incident substantial The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a porpoised landing.
Jun 28, 2017 Emporia, VA N2460A Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed for landing and his improper landing flare and recovery from a bounced landing.
Jun 25, 2017 Roseburg, OR N79938 Incident substantial An in-flight collision with a bird during the approach.
Jun 24, 2017 Fulton, MO N6474B Minor substantial The partial loss of engine power due to water contamination in the fuel system.
Jun 20, 2017 El Cajon, CA N5424V Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear with sufficient time to allow the landing gear to fully extend and the flight instructor's failure to v…

The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear with sufficient time to allow the landing gear to fully extend and the flight instructor's failure to visually check to see if the right main landing gear were extended.

Jun 16, 2017 Ballina, AS VH-FYN Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Jun 14, 2017 Galena, ID N9912Q Incident substantial The pilot's exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in a power-on stall and subsequent loss of airplane control.
Jun 12, 2017 Suffolk, NY N13306 Incident substantial
A loss of preload to the crankshaft gear attachment bolt due to improper installation, which resulted in the fatigue failure of the crankshaft gear al…

A loss of preload to the crankshaft gear attachment bolt due to improper installation, which resulted in the fatigue failure of the crankshaft gear alignment dowel and led to the rotation of the crankshaft gear and a subsequent total loss of engine power.

Jun 11, 2017 Ravenna, OH N33FM Incident substantial
The flight instructor's failure to perform a go-around during final approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a hard landing. Contributing …

The flight instructor's failure to perform a go-around during final approach, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's failure to brief the student pilot on the positive transfer of aircraft control during preflight.

Jun 10, 2017 Tamiami, FL N881AV Incident substantial A partial loss of engine power during the initial climb due to carburetor icing.
Jun 10, 2017 Lawrence, KS N99HV Incident substantial
The student pilot's incorrect control application during landing after a simulated engine failure, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing, and the …

The student pilot's incorrect control application during landing after a simulated engine failure, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing, and the flight instructor's delayed action to perform a go-around in gusting wind conditions.

Jun 08, 2017 Nashville, TN N4284Q Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Jun 06, 2017 Tooele, UT N741TW Incident substantial
The student pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during an attempted go-around,…

The student pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during an attempted go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

Jun 06, 2017 Chugiak, AK N35700 Minor substantial The pilot's improper in-flight fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
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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