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 10, 2016 Jaen, SP EC-LSY Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Feb 03, 2016 San Diego, CA N1955L Incident minor
The failure of the flight instructor of the other airplane to maintain awareness while parked on the ramp with the engine operating, which resulted in…

The failure of the flight instructor of the other airplane to maintain awareness while parked on the ramp with the engine operating, which resulted in impact with the parked airplane.

Jan 31, 2016 La Junta, CO N2567U Incident substantial
The pilot's decision to take off with a tailwind, and exceed the critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with the …

The pilot's decision to take off with a tailwind, and exceed the critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with the ground.

Jan 31, 2016 Merritt Island, FL N35079 Incident substantial The student pilot's improper flare which resulted in a porpoise, runway excursion, and nose over.
Jan 13, 2016 Gilmer, TX N737EZ Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the a…

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate traffic pattern altitude and distance from the runway, which may have allowed the airplane to glide to the runway following the loss of engine power.

Jan 12, 2016 Dothan, AL N417ER Incident substantial The pilot-rated student's hard landing, which resulted in fuselage damage.
Jan 05, 2016 Sulfur Springs, TX N72AF Incident substantial The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Jan 04, 2016 Wayne, NE N5104D Fatal (1) substantial
The noninstrument-rated pilot's improper decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision w…

The noninstrument-rated pilot's improper decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with terrain.

Jan 02, 2016 Newton, IA N947SP Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during the takeoff, resulting in a runway excursion, and airplane nose over.
Dec 29, 2015 Anchorage, AK N914CP Fatal (1) destroyed The pilot's intentional flight into a building.
Dec 29, 2015 Cascais, PO G-CHZI Incident minor Investigation pending
Dec 26, 2015 Punta Gorda, FL N4776E Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance while taxiing on the ramp, resulting in a collision with an object.
Dec 10, 2015 Abilene, TX N9868Q Minor substantial
The student pilot's abrupt control inputs during the flare, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the flight instru…

The student pilot's abrupt control inputs during the flare, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's lack of over sight and delayed reaction while landing.

Dec 03, 2015 Boca Raton, FL N5185D Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing touchdown resulting in a runway excursion, a collision with an object, and an i…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing touchdown resulting in a runway excursion, a collision with an object, and an impact with terrain.

Nov 27, 2015 Manley Hot Springs, AK N7176A Incident substantial The pilot's decision to depart from an unsuitable, off-airport site, which resulted in a collision with a tree.
Nov 24, 2015 Gaithersburg, MD N52632 Incident substantial The student pilot's improper flare during landing, which resulted in a bounced landing, and a runway excursion.
Nov 22, 2015 Covington, TN N5786R Incident substantial
The pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion, ground loop, and impact…

The pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion, ground loop, and impact with the ground.

Nov 20, 2015 Rush City, MN N1180U Incident substantial The student pilot did not maintain directional control of the airplane and applied excessive right rudder during landing.
Nov 16, 2015 Westminster, MD N26499 Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing, which resulted in a hard landing.
Nov 14, 2015 Gorliz, SP EC-HKH Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Nov 09, 2015 Miami, FL N97277 Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Nov 09, 2015 Newfane, NY N3679L Incident substantial An evasive maneuver during landing to avoid deer on the runway, which resulted in a runway overrun and collision with trees.
Nov 08, 2015 San Jose, CA N21679 Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll at night, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Nov 07, 2015 Mesa, AZ N1107G Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during landing, resulting in a porpoise, and firewall damage.
Nov 05, 2015 Alcoa, TN N905CP Incident substantial The pilot's failure to identify the taxiway, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain while turning off the runway at night.
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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