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
Jun 28, 2011 Poughkeepsie, NY N61579 Fatal (2) substantial
The pilot’s loss of airplane control due to impairment or incapacitation as a result of coronary artery disease in combination with atrial fibrillatio…

The pilot’s loss of airplane control due to impairment or incapacitation as a result of coronary artery disease in combination with atrial fibrillation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to report his paroxysmal atrial fibrillation to the Federal Aviation Administration, which would have required follow-up testing that would likely have detected his undiagnosed coronary artery disease.

Jun 27, 2011 Price, UT N674SP Incident substantial
The pilot's decision to attempt a takeoff at a density altitude outside of the takeoff performance envelope of the aircraft along with using an aircra…

The pilot's decision to attempt a takeoff at a density altitude outside of the takeoff performance envelope of the aircraft along with using an aircraft flap setting higher than the manufacture's recommended setting for takeoff.

Jun 26, 2011 Olympia, WA N5366J Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles.
Jun 24, 2011 Palo Alto, CA N222MF Incident substantial A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during the landing approach over unsuitable terrain.
Jun 19, 2011 North Adams, MA N12477 Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and subsequent failure to maintain clearance from a light pole while taxiing.
Jun 19, 2011 Gulfport, MS N54120 Incident
the Gulfport control tower local controller cleared two aircraft for takeoff from runways with intersecting departure flight paths without ensuring th…

the Gulfport control tower local controller cleared two aircraft for takeoff from runways with intersecting departure flight paths without ensuring the first aircraft had passed the flight path intersection prior to clearing the second aircraft for takeoff.

Jun 19, 2011 Santa Teresa, NM N739ZN Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind condition, resulting in a runway excursion.
Jun 18, 2011 Bedford Park, IL N172NT Incident substantial A loss of engine power due to a fractured push rod precipitated by a stuck exhaust valve.
Jun 18, 2011 Mount Pleasant, UT N65654 Serious (2) substantial The pilot’s failure to determine the airplane’s fuel quantity before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Jun 15, 2011 Belle Glades, FL N4954G Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during the landing approach.
Jun 14, 2011 Cortez, CO N6017J Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing in gusty crosswind conditions.
Jun 14, 2011 Covington, GA N6026P Incident destroyed The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Jun 13, 2011 Grand Forks, ND N539ND Incident substantial The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action to the student pilot’s bounced landing and subsequent loss of aircraft control.
Jun 10, 2011 Naples, FL N2458G Incident substantial The pilot’s improper flare and recovery from a bounced landing.
Jun 08, 2011 Ghent, NY N8895B Serious (1) substantial The pilot's delayed decision to abort the landing and execute a go-around.
Jun 08, 2011 Palo Alto, CA N9849L Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Jun 01, 2011 Wendover, UT N475ER Fatal (4) substantial
The pilot did not maintain adequate airspeed during the downwind turn resulting in an aerodynamic stall, in-flight loss of control, and spin. Contribu…

The pilot did not maintain adequate airspeed during the downwind turn resulting in an aerodynamic stall, in-flight loss of control, and spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and exceedance of the approved weight and balance envelope.

May 28, 2011 Ironton, OH N5663R Minor substantial
The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have …

The 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.

May 07, 2011 Grants Pass, OR N8287X Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed on approach, which resulted in a hard landing.
May 05, 2011 Farmersville, TX N46400 Incident substantial A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's improper fuel management.
May 04, 2011 Hollywood, FL N2434T Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during a touch-and-go landing.
May 03, 2011 Stuart, FL N88EP Incident substantial The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
May 03, 2011 Fort Pierce, FL N5460K Incident substantial The student pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Apr 30, 2011 Suchez, GA N12839 Incident substantial The failure of the pilot to initiate a go-around and his excessive airspeed on the final landing approach.
Apr 28, 2011 Fort Worth, TX N411ES Minor substantial The student pilot's improper recovery from the bounced landing and the flight instructor's delayed remedial 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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