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
Sep 07, 2003 Greenville, MI N3811L Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate takeoff procedure with the use of 20 degrees of flaps. Contributing factors were the interrelated effects of high aircraft wei…

The pilot's inadequate takeoff procedure with the use of 20 degrees of flaps. Contributing factors were the interrelated effects of high aircraft weight, the density altitude, and the relative humidity. An additional factor was the trees.

Sep 06, 2003 Blanchard, ID N6368R Incident substantial
The loss of engine oil as a result of the inadequate installation of the idler gear shaft set screw and the lack of a safety wire on the hex head (oil…

The loss of engine oil as a result of the inadequate installation of the idler gear shaft set screw and the lack of a safety wire on the hex head (oil) plug. A contributing factor was the rough and uneven terrain.

Sep 01, 2003 Fajardo, PR N8578U Incident destroyed
The pilot's inadequate aircraft preflight resulting in the airplane being operated with water contamination in the fuel system, and the loss of engine…

The pilot's inadequate aircraft preflight resulting in the airplane being operated with water contamination in the fuel system, and the loss of engine power.

Aug 24, 2003 Riverside, CA N64291 Incident substantial
The student pilot's misjudged distance and altitude, and the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. Also causal was the instructor's dela…

The student pilot's misjudged distance and altitude, and the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. Also causal was the instructor's delayed remedial action.

Aug 23, 2003 Wichita, KS N55326 Incident substantial
Failure of the maintenance crew to provide adequate clearance to an active taxiway during the engine run-up. Contributing factors were the failure of…

Failure of the maintenance crew to provide adequate clearance to an active taxiway during the engine run-up. Contributing factors were the failure of the control tower to provide a wake turbulence advisory to the accident aircraft when assigning a taxi route crossing immediately behind the maintenance aircraft, and the failure of the maintenance facility to have a formalized training procedure regarding aircraft ground operations and jet blast hazards for company mechanics.

Aug 19, 2003 CLEVELAND, OH N229ME Incident substantial The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Aug 16, 2003 Glens Falls, NY N9673B Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain control during the flare/touchdown, which resulted in a hard landing. Factors in this accident were wind gusts and th…

The pilot's failure to maintain control during the flare/touchdown, which resulted in a hard landing. Factors in this accident were wind gusts and the pilot's improper decision to land during thunderstorm activity.

Aug 16, 2003 Bowdon, ND N6057R Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which led to a stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience, the crosswin…

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which led to a stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience, the crosswind condition, wind gusts and power lines.

Aug 14, 2003 Harvard, IL N7054Q Incident substantial The pilot's improper flare which led to a hard landing.
Aug 07, 2003 Orlando, FL N775SP Incident substantial
The failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff roll resulting in the aircraft departing the runway an…

The failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff roll resulting in the aircraft departing the runway and incurring substantial damage.

Aug 04, 2003 La Monte, MO N73660 Incident substantial The pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance resulting in an overrun of the runway.
Jul 25, 2003 Plainfield, CT N62152 Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a collision with a ditch. A factor in this accident was the crosswind conditio…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a collision with a ditch. A factor in this accident was the crosswind condition.

Jul 25, 2003 Huntingburg, IN N99040 Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate flare and the failure to perform a go-around during landing. The planned approach with a quartering tailwind were contributing…

The pilot's inadequate flare and the failure to perform a go-around during landing. The planned approach with a quartering tailwind were contributing factors.

Jul 25, 2003 Olive Branch, MS N970SP Incident substantial
The student pilot's improper landing flare/touchdown and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing which resulted in a hard landing and damage to the…

The student pilot's improper landing flare/touchdown and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing which resulted in a hard landing and damage to the airplane.

Jul 24, 2003 Red Wing, MN N8226L Incident substantial The pilot's failure to follow the checklist resulting in fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engine power.
Jul 20, 2003 Plymouth, FL N52186 Incident substantial
The pilot's continue operation with known deficiencies (engine vibration) resulting in a partial loss of engine power during climb after takeoff and o…

The pilot's continue operation with known deficiencies (engine vibration) resulting in a partial loss of engine power during climb after takeoff and overrun of the runway during the aborted takeoff.

Jul 20, 2003 Livermore, CA N73857 Incident substantial The pilot's misjudged landing flare, which resulted in a porpoise pilot induced oscillation and hard landing.
Jul 18, 2003 Daytona Beach, FL N864CP Incident substantial
Failure of the student pilot of N864CP to judge the clearance between his airplane and the stationary N431ER while taxiing for takeoff which resulted …

Failure of the student pilot of N864CP to judge the clearance between his airplane and the stationary N431ER while taxiing for takeoff which resulted in a ground collision.

Jul 17, 2003 Watkins, CO N98969 Incident substantial
the right seat shifting aft during the take off roll, rendering aircraft control not possible by the flight instructor. Contributing factors include …

the right seat shifting aft during the take off roll, rendering aircraft control not possible by the flight instructor. Contributing factors include the inboard seat pin which did not engage fully, the outboard seat pin which was installed incorrectly, the inadequate installation procedures provided by the manufacturer and the parked aircraft on the ramp.

Jul 14, 2003 Pinckneyville, IL N98395 Incident substantial
The planned approach not maintained by the pilot and the delayed remedial action by the certified flight instructor. A contributing factor to the acc…

The planned approach not maintained by the pilot and the delayed remedial action by the certified flight instructor. A contributing factor to the accident was the approach light.

Jul 12, 2003 Chandler, AZ N5327G Incident substantial
The pilot's misjudged landing flare, improper recovery from a bounced landing and failure to maintain directional control, resulting in a runway sign …

The pilot's misjudged landing flare, improper recovery from a bounced landing and failure to maintain directional control, resulting in a runway sign collision.

Jul 10, 2003 Phoenix, AZ N787WW Incident substantial The student's misjudged landing flare and inadvertent entry into a porpoise pilot-induced oscillation.
Jul 04, 2003 Seldovia, AK N63541 Incident substantial
The failure of company maintenance personnel to properly maintain the airplane's brake system, which resulted in a loss of the right brake during land…

The failure of company maintenance personnel to properly maintain the airplane's brake system, which resulted in a loss of the right brake during landing roll due to a chafed brake line.

Jun 30, 2003 Plymouth, IN N3832R Incident substantial The collision with a deer during landing.
Jun 27, 2003 Romeo, MI N739NW Incident substantial The pilot not maintaining directional control during landing. A factor to the accident was the parked airplane.
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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