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
Nov 16, 2013 St. Augustine, FL N873EF Incident substantial The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with a crosswind.
Nov 12, 2013 Juneau, AK N709SB Incident substantial The pilot's decision to land on an unsuitable surface, which resulted in a nose over.
Nov 02, 2013 Loveland, CO N6303E Minor substantial A dragging right brake, which resulted in an un-commanded right turn, and subsequent ground loop.
Oct 29, 2013 Nashville, TN C-GRJH Fatal (1) destroyed
The noninstrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight into night instrument flight rules conditions, which resulted in a collision with the runway d…

The noninstrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight into night instrument flight rules conditions, which resulted in a collision with the runway during an attempted approach to land. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s mental state, his impairment due to alcohol, and his decision to operate the airplane from Canada to the United States without the owner’s permission and without proper clearances for the flight.

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.

Oct 21, 2013 Hardin, MT N80257 Minor substantial
A rough-running engine and partial loss of power, which resulted from the pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat appropriately while operating in an a…

A rough-running engine and partial loss of power, which resulted from the pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat appropriately while operating in an area conducive to carburetor icing.

Oct 18, 2013 Fairbanks, AK N1512Y Fatal (1) substantial The pilot’s failure to ensure that adequate fuel was on board the airplane, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent collision with terrain.
Oct 14, 2013 Christmas, FL N65704 Incident substantial An inflight collision with a bird during cruise flight.
Oct 10, 2013 Tomball, TX N999UF Incident substantial The student pilot delay in aborting the takeoff which resulted in the airplane going off the end of the runway and impacting trees.
Oct 05, 2013 Gainesville, FL N8715U Minor substantial A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident engine examination and test run revealed no anomalies.
Sep 30, 2013 Rio Vista, TX N8878B Incident substantial
The student pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the initial climb after an excessive takeoff run from a grass airstrip, which resulte…

The student pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the initial climb after an excessive takeoff run from a grass airstrip, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane's critical angle-of-attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall and loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision and delayed remediation.

Sep 09, 2013 Long Beach, CA N42EP Incident substantial The total loss of engine power during initial climb due to debris within the carburetor mixture metering sleeve.
Sep 08, 2013 Shellman Bluff, GA N7619X Incident substantial An inadvertent collision with a deer during landing.
Sep 04, 2013 Council Bluff, IA N368ES Incident substantial The student pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff.
Sep 01, 2013 Deer Valley, AZ N2134M Incident substantial
The student pilot's inadequate flare and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action and failure to maintain control of the airplane during a go-a…

The student pilot's inadequate flare and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action and failure to maintain control of the airplane during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's improper go-around procedures.

Aug 30, 2013 Apex, NC N3513S Incident substantial The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point on the runway, which resulted in a runway overrun and subsequent aircraft noseover.
Aug 30, 2013 McComb, MS N7892G Minor substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during approach to landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control.
Aug 30, 2013 Limington, ME N8063B Fatal (1) substantial An impairing medical event of undetermined origin that led to a loss of control during takeoff.
Aug 29, 2013 Fort Lauderdale, FL N6065P Incident substantial
The student pilot’s failure to apply power to go-around following a bounced landing resulting in abnormal runway contact and collapse of the nose land…

The student pilot’s failure to apply power to go-around following a bounced landing resulting in abnormal runway contact and collapse of the nose landing gear.

Aug 26, 2013 Miami, FL N5232D Incident substantial The pilot’s incapacitation due to a seizure during taxi.
Aug 25, 2013 Shelter Island, NY N392ES Minor substantial The pilot did not attain the proper touchdown point on the runway, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Aug 24, 2013 Mitchellville, MD N98923 Incident substantial
The pilot’s decision to depart with a known deficiency following a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was an anomaly of the airplane’s nosewhe…

The pilot’s decision to depart with a known deficiency following a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was an anomaly of the airplane’s nosewheel steering that could not be replicated during post-accident examination.

Aug 22, 2013 Manassas, VA N740SP Incident substantial The student pilot’s improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Aug 21, 2013 Indianapolis, IN N45EF Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate monitoring on the airplane's airspeed during the go-around, resulting in a stall.
Aug 20, 2013 Meeteetse, WY N516MA Minor substantial
The student pilot's inadequate preflight planning and failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain, which resulted in controlled flight into terr…

The student pilot's inadequate preflight planning and failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of situational awareness.

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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