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
Jun 04, 2017 Payson, AZ N50526 Minor destroyed
The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning that did not account for high-density altitude conditions and his subsequent attempted go-around in conditio…

The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning that did not account for high-density altitude conditions and his subsequent attempted go-around in conditions that prevented the airplane from attaining a positive climb rate and resulted in its subsequent descent and impact with rising terrain.

Jun 03, 2017 Tateyama, JA JA3989 Fatal (4) substantial Investigation pending
May 30, 2017 El Cajon, CA N483SP Incident substantial The student pilot's incorrect landing flare, which resulted in the airplane porpoising upon touchdown.
May 26, 2017 Chernihiv, UP UR-WTA Fatal (1) substantial Investigation pending
May 14, 2017 Clarksville, TN N53460 Incident substantial The pilot’s unstabilized approach and improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, porpoised landing.
May 12, 2017 Monument Valley, UT N9390E Incident substantial The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing.
May 12, 2017 Boca Raton, FL N23759 Incident substantial The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing with a tailwind.
May 09, 2017 New Orleans, LA N520ER Incident
The air traffic controller not following Federal Aviation Administration directives to establish sequencing and spacing between aircraft operating to …

The air traffic controller not following Federal Aviation Administration directives to establish sequencing and spacing between aircraft operating to the same runway.

May 03, 2017 Kaunakakai, HI N173LL Incident substantial The student pilot’s incorrect flap configuration during the go-around, which resulted in a hard, forced landing.
May 02, 2017 Atlanta, GA N704RB Incident substantial The student’s incorrect use of the go-around procedure, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.
Apr 28, 2017 Columbia, KY N64144 Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain a flare during landing in variable, gusting wind conditions.
Apr 28, 2017 Jean, NV N796SP Incident substantial The pilot’s runway selection, which resulted in landing with a tailwind and an unstabilized approach and subsequent runway overrun.
Apr 20, 2017 Yankeetown, FL N6013E Incident substantial
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preac…

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Apr 18, 2017 Euharlee, GA N8368B Serious (2) substantial
The NTSB did not determine the probable cause of this event and does not plan to issue a report or open a public docket. The investigation of this eve…

The NTSB did not determine the probable cause of this event and does not plan to issue a report or open a public docket. The investigation of this event is being conducted under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Apr 11, 2017 Houston, TX N92873 Incident substantial The pilot’s delayed attempt to abort the takeoff with a tailwind, which resulted in a runway overrun.
Apr 06, 2017 San Marcos, TX N2477F Incident substantial The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Apr 03, 2017 Twisp, WA N7547G Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain crosswind correction during landing, which resulted in the airplane cartwheeling.
Apr 02, 2017 Millbrook, NY N734SN Minor substantial
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during landing with a crosswind, which…

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during landing with a crosswind, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and an off-runway landing.

Mar 24, 2017 Baltimore, MD N13499 Incident substantial The student pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from other airplanes in the run-up area.
Mar 23, 2017 Timberlake, NC N3947R Incident substantial The student pilot’s failure to maintain pitch control during the landing flare with a tailwind, which resulted in a propeller strike.
Mar 20, 2017 Greeley, CO N6402V Incident minor Failure of the left main landing gear actuator assembly, which resulted in an inability to extend the left main landing gear.
Mar 15, 2017 Manitouwadge, CA N230TX Incident substantial Investigation pending
Mar 12, 2017 Hillsboro, OR N5440H Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in quartering tailwind conditions.
Mar 02, 2017 Greenville, ME N7450X Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while taxiing in gusting crosswind conditions.
Mar 01, 2017 St Petersburg, FL N22904 Incident substantial
The student pilot’s overcompensation of right rudder pedal application during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control and im…

The student pilot’s overcompensation of right rudder pedal application during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control and impact with runway signage and a fence.

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.
← Cessna 172 For Sale All Cessna Models
Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data
View 411 Cessna 172 for sale ↓