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 29, 2025 Manokotak, AK N8085L Incident substantial
The pilot’s decision to land on an unsuitable landing surface with a tailwind, which resulted in a nose over. Contributing was the pilot’s failure to …

The pilot’s decision to land on an unsuitable landing surface with a tailwind, which resulted in a nose over. Contributing was the pilot’s failure to recognize the wind direction, resulting in a tailwind landing.

Jun 28, 2025 Wichita, KS N1591V Incident substantial The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff that resulted in a runway excursion.
Jun 27, 2025 Chartres, FR F-GYDS Incident destroyed Investigation pending
Jun 19, 2025 Brookshire, TX N7299Q Incident substantial The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing and the nose landing gear collapsing.
Jun 19, 2025 Billings, MT N79306 Fatal (1) substantial Investigation pending
Jun 02, 2025 Vero Beach, FL N5200F Minor substantial A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.
May 26, 2025 Monroe, WA N6132G Incident substantial
The student pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during landing, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in impact…

The student pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during landing, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in impact with a ditch.

May 22, 2025 Murfreesboro, TN N6317D Incident substantial
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while attempting to take off in a gusty crosswind, which resulted in a runway excu…

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while attempting to take off in a gusty crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion.

May 08, 2025 Florida City, FL N5405T Minor substantial The commercial pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of total engine power due to fuel starvation.
May 04, 2025 Longmont, CO N75775 Incident substantial The disconnected throttle control that resulted in a loss of engine power due to improper maintenance.
May 03, 2025 Hastings, FL N127EP Minor substantial The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Apr 23, 2025 Louisburg, NC N6386V Incident substantial Investigation pending
Apr 01, 2025 Hickory, NC N79514 Minor substantial
The student pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during an attempted go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and collision with…

The student pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during an attempted go-around, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin and collision with terrain.

Mar 29, 2025 Manley Hot Springs, AK N733KV Incident substantial
The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll on a snow and ice-covered runway, which resulted in a runway excur…

The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll on a snow and ice-covered runway, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent nose over.

Mar 16, 2025 Rusk, TX N52243 Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control and adequate airspeed during the go-around, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain…

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control and adequate airspeed during the go-around, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.

Mar 16, 2025 Fairbanks, AK N7274T Minor substantial
The pilot’s decision to initiate the flight despite identifying a malfunction in the carburetor heat system during the pre-takeoff engine run-up, whic…

The pilot’s decision to initiate the flight despite identifying a malfunction in the carburetor heat system during the pre-takeoff engine run-up, which led to a partial loss of engine power during climb out. Contributing to the accident was maintenance personnel’s improper rigging of the carburetor heat control cable.

Mar 10, 2025 Cantwell, AK N5375R Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during a low-altitude maneuver which resulted in inadvertent ground contact and a nose over.
Mar 09, 2025 Brooksville, FL N740SP Incident substantial The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing and substantial damage to the airplane’s fuselage.
Mar 07, 2025 Romeo, MI N7550G Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the soft, wet grass.
Mar 03, 2025 Knoxville, TN N35411 Incident substantial The student pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a truck while taxiing.
Feb 23, 2025 La Verne, CA N137RJ Incident substantial Investigation pending
Feb 22, 2025 Mayo, MD N781FM Minor substantial Investigation pending
Feb 20, 2025 Argyle, NY N1609Y Incident substantial
The mechanic’s incorrect installation of the oil temperature gauge probe in the oil filter adapter and failure to test run the engine for oil leaks af…

The mechanic’s incorrect installation of the oil temperature gauge probe in the oil filter adapter and failure to test run the engine for oil leaks after the installation, which resulted in a total loss of oil and the pilot’s decision to perform a precautionary landing. Contributing was the pilot’s long/fast landing, which resulted in a runway overrun.

Feb 20, 2025 Kapolei, HI N19867 Minor substantial Investigation pending
Feb 18, 2025 Oxnard, CA N3901L Incident substantial The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing roll.
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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