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 18, 2002 Spearfish, SD N1373E Incident substantial
The probable cause of this accident was the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll. Differences in c…

The probable cause of this accident was the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll. Differences in control forces and aircraft handling due to initiating the takeoff without fully retracting the flaps is a contributing factor.

Jul 15, 2002 Barre, VT N43860 Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a go-around attempt, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and a subsequent impact with trees. A fac…

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a go-around attempt, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and a subsequent impact with trees. A factor was the pilot's delayed initiation of the go-around.

Jul 14, 2002 Middletown, RI N733NQ Incident substantial The pilot's improper flare. A factor was the shifting wind.
Jul 12, 2002 Merritt Island, FL N54119 Incident substantial The pilot's improper recovery after a bounced landing and improper landing flare which resulted in the airplane colliding with the runway.
Jul 11, 2002 West Milford, NJ N1502E Incident substantial The flight instructor's improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Jul 11, 2002 Pickens, SC N737CQ Incident substantial
The pilot's improper preflight planning/preparation that resulted in the airplane's gust lock being left installed which resulted in a loss of control…

The pilot's improper preflight planning/preparation that resulted in the airplane's gust lock being left installed which resulted in a loss of control during the takeoff roll and damage to the airplane when it exited the departure end of the runway and collided with trees.

Jul 04, 2002 Fulton, NY N6338F Incident substantial The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a misaligned, hard landing.
Jul 02, 2002 Battle Ground, WA N37065 Incident substantial
Improper maintenance procedures by maintenance personnel, which resulted in an engine oil leak while in flight. A factor was the pilot's misjudgment…

Improper maintenance procedures by maintenance personnel, which resulted in an engine oil leak while in flight. A factor was the pilot's misjudgment of distance during the precautionary landing which led to a runway overrun.

Jun 29, 2002 Hite, UT N725EC Incident substantial
the pilot's improper in-flight planning resulting in fuel exhaustion. A factor relating to the accident was the unsuitable terrain encountered during…

the pilot's improper in-flight planning resulting in fuel exhaustion. A factor relating to the accident was the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing attempt.

Jun 24, 2002 NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV N160RA Incident substantial The pilot's decision to continue the flight after dark with an inoperative taxi/landing light deficiency, and his unfamiliarity with the taxiways.
Jun 22, 2002 Lynchburg, VA N5408E Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane, a factor was the tailwind.
Jun 22, 2002 Marietta, GA N739PF Incident substantial
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the airplane departing the left side of the runway, imp…

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the airplane departing the left side of the runway, impacting with a gully and nosing over.

Jun 20, 2002 Minneapolis, MN N4808F Incident substantial The pilot did not maintain clearance from the vehicle while taxiing. A factor was the fuel truck.
Jun 19, 2002 Telluride, CO N9089H Incident substantial
the pilot not maintaining proper aircraft control resulting in a hard landing. Factors contributing to this accident were the high airspeed, the porp…

the pilot not maintaining proper aircraft control resulting in a hard landing. Factors contributing to this accident were the high airspeed, the porpoise encountered during the landing, and the pilot's delayed remedial action resulting in the damage to the airplane.

Jun 15, 2002 N Myrtle Beach, SC N9857F Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a banner tow pickup resulting in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent and collision with terr…

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a banner tow pickup resulting in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.

Jun 15, 2002 Saint Johns, AZ N64307 Incident substantial
the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions resulting in a loss of directional control and collision with terrain. Related factors were t…

the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions resulting in a loss of directional control and collision with terrain. Related factors were the wind gusts, crosswind and soft terrain.

Jun 15, 2002 Kirbyville, TX N21799 Incident substantial the pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point. A contributing factor was the loose gravel.
Jun 13, 2002 Clarkston, WA N84840 Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during taxi along the gravel landing site after having landed off the designated runway. A co…

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during taxi along the gravel landing site after having landed off the designated runway. A contributing factor was the embankment which the aircraft's left wing impacted during taxi.

Jun 13, 2002 Kill Devil Hill, NC N793SP Incident substantial
the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane after an attempted aborted landing, and while braking during the landing roll, which resulted …

the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane after an attempted aborted landing, and while braking during the landing roll, which resulted in the airplane departing the end of the runway and impacting with a ditch.

Jun 12, 2002 Salt Lake City, UT N7873U Incident substantial
the pilot's improper in-flight planning and decisions, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. A factor contributing to the accident was the lack of suita…

the pilot's improper in-flight planning and decisions, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. A factor contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Jun 11, 2002 BETHEL, AK N7564G Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll resulting in the right wing striking the runway.
Jun 06, 2002 MONTEREY, CA N748SP Incident substantial The pilot was unfamiliar with the airplane's systems and failed to set the elevator trim in accordance with the published checklist.
Jun 02, 2002 Navajo Dam, NM N364SR Incident substantial
the pilot's failure maintain directional control of the airplane during a touch and go landing which resulted in a collision with trees. A contributi…

the pilot's failure maintain directional control of the airplane during a touch and go landing which resulted in a collision with trees. A contributing factor was the gusting wind conditions.

May 22, 2002 Glen Rose, TX N734KG Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to set the ignition key to the both magnetos position, which resulted in a loss of engine power. Contributing factors were the fa…

The pilot's failure to set the ignition key to the both magnetos position, which resulted in a loss of engine power. Contributing factors were the failure of the left magneto, the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing, and the dark night.

May 22, 2002 Cedar City, UT N78760 Incident substantial the pilot's inadvertent stall/mush during the landing flare/touchdown. A contributing factor was the gusty crosswind weather conditions.
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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