Cessna 172 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 6810 events recorded from 1974 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 19, 2015 | Lowell, MI | N7854U | Serious (1) | substantial | The student pilot’s loss of airplane control during a go-around after not applying sufficient engine power. |
| Jan 17, 2015 | Ualapue, HI | N5660E | Serious (1) | substantial | A partial loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not recovered. |
| Oct 19, 2014 | Xenia, OH | N79534 | Serious (1) | substantial |
The failure of the seat track mechanism, which led the pilot to inadvertently apply aft yoke and lift his feet off the rudder pedals and resulted in a…The failure of the seat track mechanism, which led the pilot to inadvertently apply aft yoke and lift his feet off the rudder pedals and resulted in a loss of directional control during takeoff. |
| Oct 16, 2014 | Big Bear, CA | N612SP | Serious (3) | substantial |
A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any…A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. |
| Jul 08, 2014 | Baytown, TX | N3732R | Serious (3) | substantial | The pilot’s failure to verify the fuel onboard before the flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. |
| Mar 24, 2014 | Carlisle, PA | N4214F | Serious (1) | substantial |
The pilot's decision to depart with a known mechanical malfunction and his improper fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due …The pilot's decision to depart with a known mechanical malfunction and his improper fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and subsequent impact with terrain during an off-airport landing. |
| Mar 08, 2014 | Fairhope, AL | N2755U | Serious (1) | destroyed |
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate separation from a helicopter during the approach to landing, which resulted in an encounter with the helicopt…The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate separation from a helicopter during the approach to landing, which resulted in an encounter with the helicopter’s trailing vortices, a loss of airplane control, and impact with terrain. |
| Feb 14, 2014 | Pinson, TN | N194EX | Serious (1) | substantial |
The noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to continue flight into deteriorating weather conditions at night and his failure to divert in a timely manne…The noninstrument-rated pilot’s decision to continue flight into deteriorating weather conditions at night and his failure to divert in a timely manner, which resulted in an off-airport precautionary landing and subsequent substantial damage to the airplane. |
| Oct 25, 2013 | Raymondville, TX | N20587 | Serious (1) | substantial |
The operation of an airplane by a non-certificated pilot. Contributing to the accident was his failure to maintain airspeed following a total loss of …The operation of an airplane by a non-certificated pilot. Contributing to the accident was his failure to maintain airspeed following a total loss of engine power at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Also contributing was the pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. |
| Jun 13, 2013 | Grand Forks, ND | N552ND | Serious (1) | substantial | The student pilot’s inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall during the go-around. |
| Jun 12, 2013 | Louisville, KY | N118JD | Serious (4) | substantial |
The pilot's failure to set the correct flap position before takeoff and his inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in the operation of the airp…The pilot's failure to set the correct flap position before takeoff and his inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in the operation of the airplane over the maximum allowable gross weight, both of which led to an aerodynamic stall at too low an altitude at which to recover. |
| May 18, 2013 | Geneva, FL | N4702F | Serious (1) | — | The passenger’s failure to adhere to the pilot’s instructions to stay away from the front of the airplane when the engine was operating. |
| Apr 26, 2013 | Davis, WV | N96178 | Serious (3) | substantial | The pilot’s improper glidepath as he approached the runway and his subsequent delayed decision to abort the landing. |
| Feb 05, 2013 | Kalskag, AK | N5290J | Serious (1) | substantial |
The pilot’s decision to take off into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in a loss of visual reference and the subsequent controlled fli…The pilot’s decision to take off into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in a loss of visual reference and the subsequent controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the severity of the rear seat passenger’s injuries was the incorrect installation of the rear seat belts. |
| Dec 13, 2012 | Murfreesboro, TN | N54500 | Serious (1) | substantial | The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion. |
| Dec 02, 2012 | Albemarle, NC | N8475U | Serious | minor | The student pilot's failure to remain clear of the airplane’s rotating propeller. |
| Sep 19, 2012 | Quitman, MS | N172HA | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot’s improper preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. |
| Jul 10, 2012 | South Wayne, WI | N12504 | Serious (1) | substantial | Internal engine component failures, which resulted from oil starvation due to debris in the oil system. |
| Jul 01, 2012 | Griswold, IA | N73182 | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an attempted go-around, resulting in an aerodynamic stall. |
| Apr 28, 2012 | Beckwourth, CA | N2559U | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during initial climb, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. |
| Feb 03, 2012 | Dinsmore, CA | N3879S | Serious (1) | substantial |
The flight instructor's delayed remedial action, inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, and failure to attain/maintain adequate airspeed during a…The flight instructor's delayed remedial action, inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, and failure to attain/maintain adequate airspeed during an attempted go-around. |
| Oct 28, 2011 | Smoketown, PA | N5613R | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot did not maintain a proper approach path, which resulted in a collision with a tree. |
| Oct 17, 2011 | Atlanta, GA | N5419R | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. |
| Aug 29, 2011 | Santa Monica, CA | N5155Q | Serious (1) | substantial | The student pilot’s misjudged approach and landing attempt. Contributing to the accident was a lack of airspeed due to a blocked pitot tube. |
| Jun 18, 2011 | Mount Pleasant, UT | N65654 | Serious (2) | substantial | The pilot’s failure to determine the airplane’s fuel quantity before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. |