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
Jul 09, 2010 Goddard, KS N919YA Serious (1) substantial
The pilot did not maintain airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s poor prefligh…

The pilot did not maintain airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s poor preflight planning.

Jul 08, 2010 Rancho Murieta, CA N8793U Incident substantial A total loss of engine power in flight due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate fuel planning.
Jul 05, 2010 Chesapeake, VA N52614 Fatal (1) substantial The airplane's impact with terrain for undetermined reasons following the pilot's report of a flight control malfunction.
Jul 01, 2010 Twin Falls, ID N64427 Incident substantial The student pilot's improper landing flare.
Jun 30, 2010 Chesapeake, VA N6064R Incident substantial A hard landing by person(s)unknown.
Jun 25, 2010 Salisbury, MD N2373K Incident substantial The student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Jun 21, 2010 Angels Camp, CA N733AS Fatal (1) substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering.
Jun 21, 2010 Maryland Heights, MO N1061X Incident substantial The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Jun 21, 2010 Broken Hill, AS VH-UFN Fatal (1) substantial Investigation pending
Jun 20, 2010 West Milford, NJ N738QZ Serious (1) substantial
The student pilot’s control interference which resulted in a landing with a higher than normal airspeed, and the commercial pilot’s failure to initiat…

The student pilot’s control interference which resulted in a landing with a higher than normal airspeed, and the commercial pilot’s failure to initiate a go-around to avoid the runway overrun.

Jun 15, 2010 Traverse City, MI N52519 Incident substantial Damage to the firewall for undetermined reasons.
Jun 13, 2010 Cascade, ID N5720A Incident substantial The pilot’s encounter with an unknown hole in the runway during the landing roll.
Jun 09, 2010 New Smyrna Beach, FL N62568 Incident substantial The student pilot’s improper landing flare, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.
Jun 05, 2010 Bountiful, UT N3948R Minor substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Contributing to the accident was the high density altitude.
Jun 04, 2010 Baltimore, MD N789EP Incident substantial
The pilot’s improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper decision to land during a thunders…

The pilot’s improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s improper decision to land during a thunderstorm.

Jun 01, 2010 Greenfield, IN N1448Z Incident substantial The pilot's improper landing flare and recovery from a bounced landing.
Jun 01, 2010 Dania Beach, FL N1435F Minor substantial The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
May 31, 2010 Wellington, KS N78612 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to properly secure the airplane while manually starting the engine with the propeller.
May 31, 2010 Sterling, MA N6371D Incident substantial
The pilot’s decision to not continue with the go-around, which resulted in a collision with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distra…

The pilot’s decision to not continue with the go-around, which resulted in a collision with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction due to the passenger’s panicked condition.

May 30, 2010 Las Cruces, NM N2723U Serious (1) destroyed
A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of water contamination in the fuel, and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection. Contrib…

A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of water contamination in the fuel, and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection. Contributing the accident was an inoperative number 5 cylinder exhaust valve.

May 24, 2010 East Haddam, CT N169ER Incident substantial The pilot's delayed decision to attempt a go-around, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control while landing.
May 22, 2010 Las Vegas, NV N529MC Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control during taxi.
May 21, 2010 Plattekill, NY N739RK Serious (2) substantial
The pilot's failure to place the fuel selector valve in the appropriate position for takeoff resulting in a partial loss of engine power. Contributing…

The pilot's failure to place the fuel selector valve in the appropriate position for takeoff resulting in a partial loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's attempted takeoff at a higher than allowed gross weight.

May 16, 2010 Blue Hill, ME N733XD Incident substantial The flight instructor’s inability to maintain directional control while landing with gusting winds.
May 16, 2010 Jekyll Island, GA N53039 Incident substantial The pilot's loss of airplane control while landing with a crosswind.
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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