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
Mar 05, 2010 Newark, OH N391ES Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Mar 01, 2010 Ft. Pierce, FL N5460K Incident substantial The student pilot's improper flare and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, resulting in a hard landing.
Feb 28, 2010 Davis, OK N72TN Incident substantial The flight instructor’s improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Feb 23, 2010 Fort Pierce, FL N88EP Incident substantial The student pilot’s improper flare and recovery from a bounced landing.
Feb 22, 2010 Sparks, NV N7499A Incident substantial A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's failure to select the correct fuel selector position.
Feb 21, 2010 Lockhart, TX N5404V Incident substantial
The flight instructor’s failure to use the emergency checklist, and his failure to extend the landing gear manually. Contributing to the accident was …

The flight instructor’s failure to use the emergency checklist, and his failure to extend the landing gear manually. Contributing to the accident was the electrical failure/malfunction for reasons undetermined.

Feb 18, 2010 Albany, OH N9771B Minor substantial
The pilot’s decision to initiate and continue the flight into known icing conditions with an airplane not properly equipped for flight into icing cond…

The pilot’s decision to initiate and continue the flight into known icing conditions with an airplane not properly equipped for flight into icing conditions which exceeded the capabilities of the airplane.

Feb 14, 2010 Genoa City, WI N24CV Minor substantial
A total loss of engine power due to the failure of the bolts that held in place the connecting rods to the engine's No. 3 and No. 4 cylinders as a res…

A total loss of engine power due to the failure of the bolts that held in place the connecting rods to the engine's No. 3 and No. 4 cylinders as a result of the engine overhaul facility's improper installation of the bolts during a recent overhaul.

Feb 11, 2010 Fort Pierce, FL N106JK Incident substantial The student pilot's improper flare during landing.
Feb 03, 2010 Jackson, TN N97075 Incident substantial The student pilot's loss of directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a collision with a snow bank.
Jan 30, 2010 Pahrump, NV N8959B Incident substantial Fuel starvation as a result of the improper installation of the carburetor float valve by unknown personnel.
Jan 23, 2010 Nightmute, AK N3718F Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane in a strong gusting wind, and his decision to taxi for takeoff in such conditions.
Jan 19, 2010 Bethel, AK N20109 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff.
Jan 18, 2010 Joshua Tree, CA N13073 Serious (2) substantial
The certified flight instructor's decision to continue visual flight into deteriorating weather, which resulted in his inadvertent encounter with inst…

The certified flight instructor's decision to continue visual flight into deteriorating weather, which resulted in his inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions and subsequent failure to maintain clearance with terrain.

Jan 17, 2010 Holland, MI N8405E Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot's decision to take off in known instrument meteorological conditions without instrument currency or recent instrument experience, which led …

The pilot's decision to take off in known instrument meteorological conditions without instrument currency or recent instrument experience, which led to spatial disorientation resulting in an inadvertent spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of adequate rest prior to the flight.

Jan 06, 2010 Ramona, CA N35414 Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a touch-and-go landing.
Jan 04, 2010 Greenbush, ME N5118J Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot's improper decision to attempt a transoceanic flight in turbulent, icing conditions, with an overweight airplane that was not approved for m…

The pilot's improper decision to attempt a transoceanic flight in turbulent, icing conditions, with an overweight airplane that was not approved for moderate turbulence and not equipped with deicing systems. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's personal pressure to return home.

Dec 24, 2009 Albion, ID N1883V Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain while maneuvering in gusting winds.
Dec 18, 2009 Ames, IA N99930 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while attempting a takeoff on an ice-covered runway.
Dec 17, 2009 Corona, CA N8520U Minor substantial A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Dec 11, 2009 Pearland, TX N172BJ Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to control the airplane's descent rate during the short-field landing, resulting in a hard landing. Contributing to the a…

The student pilot's failure to control the airplane's descent rate during the short-field landing, resulting in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight examiner's delayed response.

Dec 08, 2009 Kissimmee, FL N5269X Fatal (4) destroyed
The pilot's decision to depart under special VFR flight at night when instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the departure airport and alon…

The pilot's decision to depart under special VFR flight at night when instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the departure airport and along the route of flight and his continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of aircraft control.

Dec 06, 2009 Diamond Point, WA N20186 Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for the variable and unfavorable wind conditions.
Dec 02, 2009 Mt. Comfort, IN N6036Y Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while touching down during the landing.
Nov 22, 2009 Panancea, FL N35638 Incident 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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