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
Jan 26, 2012 Honolulu, HI N66540 Incident substantial The student pilot’s improper landing flare and inadequate directional control while performing an aborted landing.
Jan 22, 2012 Richland, WA N64270 Incident substantial The student pilot's improper landing flare and inadequate directional control during landing.
Jan 19, 2012 Springfield, TN N35571 Incident substantial The pilot did not apply carburetor heat during approach to landing, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.
Jan 04, 2012 Conroe, TX N54872 Incident substantial Failure of the rear crankshaft gear dowel pin due to improper installation, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
Dec 20, 2011 Denton, TX N987BT Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot's controlled flight into terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident w…

The pilot's controlled flight into terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to perform a circling maneuver in weather below circling minimums instead of flying the missed approach instructions.

Dec 04, 2011 Belhaven, NC N2344U Incident substantial
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have pr…

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Dec 03, 2011 Wauseon, OH N737ET Incident substantial The student pilot's loss of directional control during landing.
Dec 01, 2011 Schenectady, NY N83PD Incident substantial The pilot’s inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of control.
Nov 28, 2011 Napa, CA N7952A Incident substantial The student pilot's improper landing flare, inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, and loss of directional control.
Nov 12, 2011 Phoenix, AZ N24350 Incident substantial The student pilot's inadequate directional control during takeoff.
Nov 11, 2011 Sturgis, SD N13584 Fatal (1) substantial The student pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff with extended flaps.
Nov 08, 2011 Kissimmee, FL N5095V Incident substantial A fatigue failure of the right main landing gear pivot assembly, which prevented the landing gear from extending.
Nov 02, 2011 Frederick, MD N212CF Minor substantial The student pilot’s inadequate directional control during the landing roll.
Nov 01, 2011 Pompano Beach, FL N739JN Minor substantial
The separation of the throttle cable from its fitting, which resulted in an inability to control engine power. Contributing to the accident was the in…

The separation of the throttle cable from its fitting, which resulted in an inability to control engine power. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate maintenance by the owner.

Oct 30, 2011 Florence, MT N7276G Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power line during a low-level flight along a river. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's deci…

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power line during a low-level flight along a river. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to fly at a low altitude.

Oct 28, 2011 Smoketown, PA N5613R Serious (1) substantial The pilot did not maintain a proper approach path, which resulted in a collision with a tree.
Oct 17, 2011 Atlanta, GA N5419R Serious (1) substantial The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Oct 17, 2011 Covington, LA N2401E Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a banner drop, resulting in an aerodynamic stall.
Oct 15, 2011 Daytona Beach, FL N551ER Incident
The departing pilot's incorrect runway selection and non-compliance with an air traffic control clearance. Contributing to the incident was the air tr…

The departing pilot's incorrect runway selection and non-compliance with an air traffic control clearance. Contributing to the incident was the air traffic controller's inadequate monitoring of the departing aircraft to ensure that the pilot complied with the clearance issued and his failure to issue conflict resolution advisories.

Oct 14, 2011 Ozark, MO N54356 Incident substantial The pilot’s inadequate compensation for gusty crosswind conditions while on approach.
Oct 12, 2011 Cornelius, OR N52013 Incident substantial The airplane’s encounter with an unseen hole or obstacle on the grass runway.
Oct 06, 2011 Agana, USA N9853L Incident substantial The pilot's failure to avoid the jet blast while taxiing and the ground air traffic controller's failure to advise the pilot of the hazard.
Sep 30, 2011 Westminster, MD N11019 Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's imp…

The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper approach airspeed for a short-field landing.

Sep 28, 2011 Napa, CA N21284 Incident substantial The student pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Sep 26, 2011 Phoenix, AZ N169ME Minor substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout.
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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