Cessna 172 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 6810 events recorded from 1974 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 07, 2017 | Bolinas, CA | N737QQ | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The non-instrument rated private pilot's improper decision to embark on a flight and continue to fly into forecasted instrument meteorological conditi…The non-instrument rated private pilot's improper decision to embark on a flight and continue to fly into forecasted instrument meteorological conditions and mountain obscuration while conducting a visual flight rules flight. |
| Sep 03, 2017 | Hekpoort, SF | ZS-JDN | Fatal (2) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Aug 11, 2017 | New Milford, CT | N1727V | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The flight instructor's failure to ensure that the wing flaps were properly configured for takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of…The flight instructor's failure to ensure that the wing flaps were properly configured for takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and loss of control during the initial climb. |
| Jul 30, 2017 | Danbury, CT | N612DF | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the ac…The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during initial climb, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to operate the airplane above its maximum gross weight, which likely reduced its takeoff performance. |
| Jul 29, 2017 | Big Bear, CA | N5381J | Fatal (2) | substantial |
The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during takeoff in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic…The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during takeoff in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, loss of control, and subsequent impact with terrain. |
| Jun 16, 2017 | Ballina, AS | VH-FYN | Fatal (1) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Jun 03, 2017 | Tateyama, JA | JA3989 | Fatal (4) | substantial | Investigation pending |
| May 26, 2017 | Chernihiv, UP | UR-WTA | Fatal (1) | substantial | Investigation pending |
| 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 | Magdalena, Sonora, MX | XB-MRG | Fatal (4) | — | Investigation pending |
| 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 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. |
| 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 08, 2017 | Tirua, CI | CC-CMP | Fatal (4) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| 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. |
| 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 10, 2016 | Kingston, JM | N101KA | Fatal (3) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Oct 29, 2016 | Palmer, AK | N6353E | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The student pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a steep climbing turn following a touch-and-go landing, which resulte…The student pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a steep climbing turn following a touch-and-go landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at too low of an altitude to recover. |
| Oct 16, 2016 | Peloponnese, GR | 5B-CLB | Fatal (2) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Sep 27, 2016 | Laytonsville, MD | N52126 | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
The pilot/mechanic's failure to maintain airspeed following a loss of engine power, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of att…The pilot/mechanic's failure to maintain airspeed following a loss of engine power, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Also causal was the pilot/mechanic's failure to service the engine with oil following maintenance, which resulted in the total loss of engine power. |
| Sep 11, 2016 | Parafield Aerodrome, Australia, AS | VH-MKG | Fatal (1) | — | Investigation pending |
| Sep 03, 2016 | Hollywood, FL | N6091E | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
The pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight weather planning, which resulted in continued flight into a thunderstorm and a subsequent loss of airpl…The pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight weather planning, which resulted in continued flight into a thunderstorm and a subsequent loss of airplane control. |
| 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. |