Cessna 172 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 6810 events recorded from 1974 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 04, 2021 | Decatur, GA | N172XX | Minor | substantial | Oil exhaustion due to an oil leak that resulted in a total loss of engine power. |
| Oct 31, 2021 | STEVENSVILLE, MD | N3HQ | Minor | substantial | An in-flight collision with a bird during initial climb. |
| Oct 10, 2021 | Yapu, OF | HK-5032 | Minor | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Sep 27, 2021 | Indian Trail, NC | N1401U | Minor | substantial |
The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff and initial climb. Contributing was the pilot’s physical limitation which caused an in…The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff and initial climb. Contributing was the pilot’s physical limitation which caused an inadvertent application of left rudder. |
| Sep 10, 2021 | LaSalle, CO | N2099J | Minor | substantial | A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. |
| Aug 26, 2021 | Olive Branch, MS | N12573 | Minor | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing with a direct crosswind that resulted in an impact with terrain. |
| Aug 03, 2021 | Iron Mountain, MI | N6778A | Minor | substantial |
The mechanics’ failure to follow procedures for high-thrust operations at the nontowered airport, which resulted in jet blast damage to an airplane ta…The mechanics’ failure to follow procedures for high-thrust operations at the nontowered airport, which resulted in jet blast damage to an airplane taxiing nearby. |
| Aug 02, 2021 | Waxhaw, NC | N3090U | Minor | substantial |
The pilot’s failure to abort the takeoff in sufficient time to stop the airplane on the runway remaining. Contributing to the accident was the lack of…The pilot’s failure to abort the takeoff in sufficient time to stop the airplane on the runway remaining. Contributing to the accident was the lack of airplane takeoff performance due to the pilot’s failure to assure that the carburetor heat control was in the off position and the elevated density altitude. |
| Jul 25, 2021 | Kernville, CA | N728KG | Minor | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during landing after an encounter with a wind gust which resulted in a collision with trees. |
| Jul 16, 2021 | Skwentna, AK | N7137T | Minor | substantial |
A partial loss of engine power due to detonation/preignition damage to the No. 2 cylinder. The reason for the detonation/preignition damage could not …A partial loss of engine power due to detonation/preignition damage to the No. 2 cylinder. The reason for the detonation/preignition damage could not be determined based on the available evidence. |
| May 22, 2021 | McAllen, TX | N999MA | Minor | substantial | The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a runway sign. |
| May 14, 2021 | Daytona Beach, FL | N62568 | Minor | substantial |
Both pilots’ failure to maintain control during the landing flare and the flight instructor’s failure to maintain control during an attempted go-aroun…Both pilots’ failure to maintain control during the landing flare and the flight instructor’s failure to maintain control during an attempted go-around, in gusting quartering headwind conditions, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall at low altitude. |
| May 02, 2021 | Cuba, NM | N9127B | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during takeoff after an encounter with a gusting wind, which resulted in a wing strike. |
| May 01, 2021 | Lanai City, HI | N3929 | Minor | substantial |
The solo student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and a no…The solo student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and a nose-over. |
| Apr 03, 2021 | Sand Point, ID | N7616X | Minor | substantial | The student pilot’s improper landing flare which resulted in a hard landing, loss of directional control and subsequent nose over. |
| Mar 23, 2021 | Everett, WA | N2164Z | Minor | substantial | A total loss of engine power during climb, for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence. |
| Feb 24, 2021 | Winchester, VA | N7832X | Minor | substantial | The pilot’s delayed use of carburetor heat, which resulted in carburetor icing and a subsequent total loss of engine power. |
| Dec 31, 2020 | Hope, AK | N949AF | Minor | substantial | The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. A factor was the certified flight instructor’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. |
| Dec 27, 2020 | Pleasant Valley, NY | N8311X | Minor | substantial | A total loss of engine power due to failure of the magnetos, which were not overhauled in accordance with the manufacturer’s time specifications. |
| Nov 19, 2020 | Cynthiana, KY | N6203F | Minor | substantial |
The pilot’s failure to maintain proper glide path during a visual approach that was conducted at night, resulting in a collision with trees and terrai…The pilot’s failure to maintain proper glide path during a visual approach that was conducted at night, resulting in a collision with trees and terrain. |
| Nov 14, 2020 | Howe, ID | N8278B | Minor | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain after an encounter with a downdraft, which resulted in a collision with terrain. |
| Sep 29, 2020 | Spring, TX | N75634 | Minor | substantial | The student pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during climb and subsequent impact with terrain. |
| Sep 23, 2020 | La Grange, NC | N5439E | Minor | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during final approach, which resulted in a collision with trees. |
| Sep 13, 2020 | Houston, TX | N7562F | Minor | substantial | The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control upon landing. |
| Sep 13, 2020 | Stanley, ID | N52700 | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance after flying into the wrong canyon in mountainous terrain which resulted in a collision with trees a…The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance after flying into the wrong canyon in mountainous terrain which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain. |