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
Feb 27, 2017 Berthoud, CO N2461N Fatal (2) substantial The failure of the pilots to apply prompt and/or correct flight control inputs to adequately recover from the intentional aerodynamic spin.
Feb 26, 2017 Panguitch, UT N3712F Fatal (3) substantial
The pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contribu…

The pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's inadequate preflight weather planning and his poor decision-making.

Feb 26, 2017 Magdalena, Sonora, MX XB-MRG Fatal (4) Investigation pending
Feb 23, 2017 Cahokia, IL N51827 Incident substantial A hard landing for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Feb 18, 2017 Statesville, NC N738DS Incident substantial A loss of airplane control during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Feb 17, 2017 Naples, FL N737RT Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain pitch control, which resulted in a hard landing.
Feb 16, 2017 Burlington, NC N381MG Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading during an attempted go-around in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion…

The pilot's failure to maintain the runway heading during an attempted go-around in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion.

Feb 12, 2017 Ramona, CA N2179L Fatal (1) substantial
The flight instructor's failure to ensure that adequate clearance from terrain was maintained after performance of a simulated engine failure maneuver…

The flight instructor's failure to ensure that adequate clearance from terrain was maintained after performance of a simulated engine failure maneuver, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.

Feb 10, 2017 Giseong-ri, KS HL1171 Incident minor Investigation pending
Jan 26, 2017 Clearwater, FL N2382R Incident substantial The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in damage to the engine firewall.
Jan 25, 2017 Jay, OK N5639A Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot's negligent maintenance of the airplane, which resulted in improper fuel management, fuel starvation, and a loss of engine power during take…

The pilot's negligent maintenance of the airplane, which resulted in improper fuel management, fuel starvation, and a loss of engine power during takeoff due to a missing securing pin in the fuel selector handle, and a subsequent forced landing on unsuitable terrain.

Jan 20, 2017 Araucania, CI CC-AGK Fatal (2) substantial Investigation pending
Jan 12, 2017 Punta Gorda, FL N10897 Incident substantial The student pilot’s failure to maintain proper pitch control, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.
Jan 08, 2017 Tirua, CI CC-CMP Fatal (4) destroyed Investigation pending
Jan 07, 2017 Hollywood, FL N907WA Incident substantial The student pilot’s improper landing flare in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing.
Jan 06, 2017 Hobart, IN N80374 Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to abort the landing when he recognized the airplane was traveling too fast, which resulted in impact with trees off the end of th…

The pilot's failure to abort the landing when he recognized the airplane was traveling too fast, which resulted in impact with trees off the end of the runway.

Jan 05, 2017 Tangara da Serra, BR PR-GRS Fatal (2) substantial Investigation pending
Dec 31, 2016 Open water, HI N174LL Fatal (3) destroyed Undetermined because the airplane was not located.
Dec 28, 2016 Prairie Du Sac, WI N6941X Incident substantial
The pilot's decision to taxi the airplane from the roadway and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from signs and a fence after a successful …

The pilot's decision to taxi the airplane from the roadway and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from signs and a fence after a successful emergency landing following a total loss of engine power.

Dec 27, 2016 Bridgeport, AL N3772F Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's decision to make steep turns to the right while operating on the right fuel tank with low fuel quantity, which led to a loss of engine pow…

The pilot's decision to make steep turns to the right while operating on the right fuel tank with low fuel quantity, which led to a loss of engine power due to unporting of the right fuel tank and fuel starvation.

Dec 24, 2016 Palm Coast, FL N1289Y Incident substantial The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and porpoise.
Nov 20, 2016 Dayton, TN N4331R Incident substantial The student pilot’s inability to maintain pitch and bank control during the landing after the airplane was struck by a deer.
Nov 19, 2016 Woodbine, NJ N5249R Incident substantial The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a porpoised landing.
Nov 18, 2016 Moss Beach, CA N6610D Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot's loss of airplane control following an encounter with low level wind shear and turbulence during final approach for landing. Contributing t…

The pilot's loss of airplane control following an encounter with low level wind shear and turbulence during final approach for landing. Contributing to the loss of control was the pilot's decision to retract the wing flaps on final approach, which resulted in a sudden loss of lift.

Nov 17, 2016 Destin, FL N9358L Incident substantial
The student pilot’s overcorrection with right rudder, which resulted in a loss of directional control, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial ac…

The student pilot’s overcorrection with right rudder, which resulted in a loss of directional control, and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.

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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