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
Sep 01, 2016 Anchorage, AK N52950 Incident substantial The airplane’s encounter with a developing sink hole during taxi on the ramp area.
Aug 30, 2016 Winchester, VA N2462E Incident substantial
The student pilot's incorrect pitch control during the landing flare, which resulted in a porpoise, a loss of directional control, and a runway excurs…

The student pilot's incorrect pitch control during the landing flare, which resulted in a porpoise, a loss of directional control, and a runway excursion.

Aug 30, 2016 Delta, UT N734AV Incident substantial The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, porpoised landing.
Aug 28, 2016 New Orleans, LA N984RA Fatal (2) substantial
The pilot's improper decision to continue a descent during a night visual approach a for landing which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Con…

The pilot's improper decision to continue a descent during a night visual approach a for landing which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the reduced visibility and pilot's disregard of the PAPI indications that the airplane's approach path was excessively low.

Aug 25, 2016 Terre Haute, IN N17SK Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain a normal approach path to the runway, which resulted in the airplane colliding with a tree and a house during final ap…

The pilot's failure to maintain a normal approach path to the runway, which resulted in the airplane colliding with a tree and a house during final approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent flight experience.

Aug 23, 2016 Williamsport, PA N9480E Incident substantial The student pilot's distraction during taxi operations, which resulted in the airplane's left wing impacting a hangar.
Aug 20, 2016 Anchorage, AK N35408 Incident substantial
The facility's designation of the taxiway for use by maintenance personnel to conduct high thrust tests without appropriate safeguards in place, which…

The facility's designation of the taxiway for use by maintenance personnel to conduct high thrust tests without appropriate safeguards in place, which led to maintenance personnel conducting high-power, run-up thrust procedures across the active taxiway and resulted in the loss of directional control of a light, single-engine airplane on the taxiway when it encountered a sudden, unexpected blast of engine thrust.

Aug 14, 2016 Fulton, MO N78242 Incident substantial The pilot’s improper landing flare and subsequent improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in the airplane porpoising.
Aug 09, 2016 Arlington, TX N544SP Incident substantial The student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Aug 09, 2016 Fredonia, CO HK4822G Fatal (2) substantial Investigation pending
Aug 04, 2016 Everett, WA N4801D Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the building door, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing.
Aug 03, 2016 Cross Keys, NJ N84371 Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain lateral bank control during final approach, which resulted with an impact with a tree and substantial damage to the le…

The pilot's failure to maintain lateral bank control during final approach, which resulted with an impact with a tree and substantial damage to the left and right wings.

Aug 03, 2016 Palm Springs, CA N5203H Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and a nose over in rough t…

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and a nose over in rough terrain.

Aug 02, 2016 Neenah, WI N46459 Incident substantial
A loss of engine power due to oil starvation, which resulted from the pilot, who was not a certified airframe and powerplant mechanic, removing the va…

A loss of engine power due to oil starvation, which resulted from the pilot, who was not a certified airframe and powerplant mechanic, removing the vacuum pump from the engine, and his misconception that he could operate the airplane without the pump.

Aug 02, 2016 Oak Island, NC N24447 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and substantial damage to the firewall.
Aug 02, 2016 Lewiston, MT N734GM Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to ensure that his seat was adjusted and locked, which resulted in his seat sliding aft during the takeoff roll, and the subsequen…

The pilot's failure to ensure that his seat was adjusted and locked, which resulted in his seat sliding aft during the takeoff roll, and the subsequent loss of directional control and runway excursion.

Jul 31, 2016 Newark, IL N211FC Incident substantial
The failure of the No. 4 cylinder exhaust valve, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and a forced landing. Contributing to the valve fail…

The failure of the No. 4 cylinder exhaust valve, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and a forced landing. Contributing to the valve failure and loss of engine power was the extended time since the last overhaul.

Jul 30, 2016 Kissimmee, FL N1688C Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Jul 29, 2016 MORRISTOWN, NJ N5322P Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain a safe taxi distance from a large turbine-powered airplane, resulting in an encounter of the turbine-powered airplane'…

The pilot's failure to maintain a safe taxi distance from a large turbine-powered airplane, resulting in an encounter of the turbine-powered airplane's jet blast while taxiing.

Jul 28, 2016 Rexburg, ID N3677S Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to retract the flaps during a go-around in high density altitude conditions, resulting in the airplane's inability to clim…

The student pilot's failure to retract the flaps during a go-around in high density altitude conditions, resulting in the airplane's inability to climb and a subsequent collision with terrain and nose over.

Jul 18, 2016 Chesterfield, MO N128RM Incident substantial The student pilot's improper pitch control during the landing flare, which resulted in a porpoise and substantial damage to the firewall.
Jul 17, 2016 Emmett, ID N8184B Incident The failure of both pilots to see and avoid each other during cruise flight, which resulted in a midair collision.
Jul 16, 2016 Valday-avia, RS RA-67480 Minor substantial Investigation pending
Jul 10, 2016 Kahului, HI N335SP Incident substantial The pilot's incorrect pitch control during the landing flare, which resulted in a porpoise and hard landing.
Jul 08, 2016 San Diego, CA N9488G Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain situational awareness while taxiing, which resulted in an impact with a stationary fuel truck.
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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