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
Oct 06, 2008 Compton, CA N6048Z Incident substantial The pilot's improper flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
Oct 03, 2008 Naples, ME N20921 Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the wet condition of the grass r…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the wet condition of the grass runway.

Oct 03, 2008 Alton, IL N5172J Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. A contributing factor was the presence of the sign struck during the runw…

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. A contributing factor was the presence of the sign struck during the runway excursion.

Sep 19, 2008 St. Louis, MO N6416V Incident substantial The improper maintenance performed resulting in a jammed nose landing gear door preventing the extension of the nose landing gear.
Sep 19, 2008 Wadsworth, OH N739BX Incident substantial
The pilot's excessive airspeed during the approach and landing and failure to perform a go-around. Contributing to the accident were the barricade an…

The pilot's excessive airspeed during the approach and landing and failure to perform a go-around. Contributing to the accident were the barricade and the down-sloping terrain at the end of the runway.

Sep 16, 2008 Brunswick, GA N4172P Incident substantial The student pilot's improper flare while landing.
Sep 04, 2008 Almogordo, NM N9783B Incident substantial The pilot's failure to extend the airplane's landing gear before landing.
Sep 03, 2008 Tunkhannock, PA N79210 Incident substantial The pilot's improper airspeed while landing.
Sep 01, 2008 South Harpswell, ME N251SP Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing in gusty winds.
Aug 30, 2008 Newton, MS N6478E Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing.
Aug 27, 2008 Reading, PA N54020 Incident
The tower local controller permitted an aircraft to conduct a low approach and another aircraft to land on a closed runway. Contributing to the incid…

The tower local controller permitted an aircraft to conduct a low approach and another aircraft to land on a closed runway. Contributing to the incident were the arrival radar controller who failed to correct the local controller when advised an aircraft would be landing on a closed runway and the facility management's tower staffing policy.

Aug 24, 2008 Pullman, MI N3901R Incident substantial A complete loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the rough terrain encountered during the forced landing.
Aug 14, 2008 Cincinnati, OH N21SZ Incident substantial The student pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing. Contributing to the accident were the improper flare and excessive airspeed.
Aug 10, 2008 Charlottesville, VA N5210A Incident substantial The pilot's improper flare while landing. Contributing to the accident was the gusty wind condition.
Aug 09, 2008 Monroeville, AL N1600U Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for winds during landing. Contributing to the accident was a wind gust.
Aug 02, 2008 Anchorage, AK N2357U Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare/touchdown, which resulted in a runway excursion and collapse of the nose …

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare/touchdown, which resulted in a runway excursion and collapse of the nose gear.

Aug 02, 2008 Wingate, NC N6026A Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a go-around.
Jul 30, 2008 Honolulu, HI N5329L Incident substantial The flight's encounter with the jet wash from a parked commercial airplane while taxiing for takeoff.
Jul 21, 2008 Salmon, ID N9912Q Incident substantial
The pilot's decision to take off in known adverse wind conditions that lead to an encounter with a windshear, the resulting inability of the pilot to …

The pilot's decision to take off in known adverse wind conditions that lead to an encounter with a windshear, the resulting inability of the pilot to maintain airspeed, and a stall/mush into the terrain.

Jul 20, 2008 Leavenworth, WA N80849 Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and failure to attain a sufficient airspeed to continue the takeoff. A contributing factor was the high den…

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and failure to attain a sufficient airspeed to continue the takeoff. A contributing factor was the high density altitude and short runway.

Jul 16, 2008 Williamstown, NJ N739UG Incident substantial
The student pilot's inability to maintain directional control during the attempted aborted landing. Contributing to the severity of the accident were …

The student pilot's inability to maintain directional control during the attempted aborted landing. Contributing to the severity of the accident were the trees.

Jul 12, 2008 Edgewater, MD N734AT Incident substantial The pilot's misjudged distance/speed during landing.
Jul 09, 2008 Byron, CA N354ES Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout.
Jul 06, 2008 Pomona, CA N8881U Incident substantial Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and his failure to refuel the airplane.
Jun 27, 2008 Skykomish, WA N94HJ Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision and failure to execute a go-around when the airplane floated during the flare. Contributing to the…

The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision and failure to execute a go-around when the airplane floated during the flare. Contributing to the accident was the short and wet turf runway surface, which reduced braking 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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