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 29, 2004 Mobile, AL N2845Q Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and his inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulted in fuel exhaustion and subsequent collision wi…

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and his inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulted in fuel exhaustion and subsequent collision with the ground.

Oct 20, 2004 West Columbia, SC N37CJ Incident substantial
The student pilot's improper landing flare, inadequate recovery from a bounced landing and failure to maintain directional control during rollout. A f…

The student pilot's improper landing flare, inadequate recovery from a bounced landing and failure to maintain directional control during rollout. A factor was the runway sign.

Oct 09, 2004 Eliot, ME N80657 Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning decision, which resulted a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Oct 07, 2004 Casper, WY N73764 Incident substantial
the student pilot's improper flare resulting in a hard landing. A factor contributing to the accident was the student pilot's improper recovery from …

the student pilot's improper flare resulting in a hard landing. A factor contributing to the accident was the student pilot's improper recovery from the bounced landing.

Sep 30, 2004 Broomfield, CO N802SP Incident substantial the pilot's improper flare, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the pilot.
Sep 28, 2004 Houston, TX N189W Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a parked aircraft while taxiing. A contributing factor was the student pilot's anxiety attack.
Sep 15, 2004 Montgomery, AL N948SM Incident substantial The separation of a hydraulic line for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a hydraulic fluid leak and malfunction of the landing gear.
Sep 12, 2004 Wiscasset, ME N7422X Incident substantial The failure of the oil filter adapter seal, which resulted in a loss of oil pressure, and subsequent catastrophic engine failure, and forced landing.
Sep 10, 2004 Medina, OH N172WW Incident substantial The partial loss of engine power due to inadequate maintenance and by failure to comply with service instruction for low engine compression.
Sep 06, 2004 Mount Gilead, OH N809SP Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions which resulted in a collision with the runway. A factor was the crosswind.
Sep 04, 2004 Gary, IN N2355E Incident substantial
The failure of the nose wheel for undetermined reasons. A factor associated with the accident was the student pilot's failure to properly flare the a…

The failure of the nose wheel for undetermined reasons. A factor associated with the accident was the student pilot's failure to properly flare the airplane.

Aug 29, 2004 Erie, CO N2099J Incident substantial
the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in a hard landing. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot induced oscillation…

the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in a hard landing. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot induced oscillation and the high approach airspeed.

Aug 19, 2004 Carlsbad, NM N849SP Incident substantial the student pilot's inadequate flare resulting in a hard landing. A contributing factor was the tailwind conditions.
Aug 18, 2004 New Braunfels, TX N739AM Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A contributing factor was the high wind condition.
Aug 13, 2004 Honolulu, HI N3554Y Incident substantial
the student pilot's misjudged flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Also causal was the student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing a…

the student pilot's misjudged flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Also causal was the student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and pilot induced porpoise and failure to maintain directional control on the landing roll, which resulted in the nose gear collapsing.

Aug 12, 2004 Miami, FL N21063 Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain control while landing with a crosswind and gusting wind conditions, which resulted in the airplane veering off the run…

The pilot's failure to maintain control while landing with a crosswind and gusting wind conditions, which resulted in the airplane veering off the runway and incurring damage.

Aug 08, 2004 Chandler, AZ N5327G Incident substantial the student pilot's failure to abort the takeoff. A contributing factor was the pilot's failure to maintain directional control.
Aug 08, 2004 Wilkes-Barre, PA N4599D Incident substantial
The student pilot's improper flare and improper recover from a bounced landing. Factors in this accident were the crosswind condition and the partial…

The student pilot's improper flare and improper recover from a bounced landing. Factors in this accident were the crosswind condition and the partial failure of the airplane's transceiver, as reported by the pilot.

Aug 05, 2004 Olathe, KS N458CM Incident substantial The student pilot flared too high and failed to recover from a bounced landing.
Aug 04, 2004 Cleveland, TX N4865G Incident substantial
The student pilot's improper judgment of the airplanes altitude during landing. A contributing factor was the pilot's level of anxiety/apprehension a…

The student pilot's improper judgment of the airplanes altitude during landing. A contributing factor was the pilot's level of anxiety/apprehension after becoming lost/disoriented.

Jul 31, 2004 Hurricane, UT N5426J Incident substantial
the student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing. Contributing factors include the crosswind, the wind gusts, and the excee…

the student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing. Contributing factors include the crosswind, the wind gusts, and the exceeded maximum demonstrated crosswind component.

Jul 27, 2004 Big Bear City, CA N65615 Incident substantial
the instructor's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and delayed decision to perform a go-around. Contributing factors were wind gusts, winds…

the instructor's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and delayed decision to perform a go-around. Contributing factors were wind gusts, windshear, and an excessive descent rate.

Jul 24, 2004 Morton, WA N2527Y Incident substantial
The pilot's misjudgment of altitude on final approach which resulted in an improper touchdown point and subsequent runway overrun. A factor was sungl…

The pilot's misjudgment of altitude on final approach which resulted in an improper touchdown point and subsequent runway overrun. A factor was sunglare.

Jul 24, 2004 San Diego, CA N5167R Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to ensure that the landing gear was fully extended, by use of the emergency gear extension system, which resulted in its partial c…

The pilot's failure to ensure that the landing gear was fully extended, by use of the emergency gear extension system, which resulted in its partial collapse during landing rollout. Also causal was the pilot's failure to follow POH procedures relating to troubleshooting and restoring electric power to the airplane busses.

Jul 20, 2004 Winder, GA N2069S Incident substantial
The improper maintenance (over-pressurization) of the nose gear strut, which resulted in an overload failure of the nose gear upper torque link bolt. …

The improper maintenance (over-pressurization) of the nose gear strut, which resulted in an overload failure of the nose gear upper torque link bolt. The airplane subsequently nosed over during an uncontrollable landing roll.

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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