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
Aug 24, 2008 Pullman, MI N3901R Incident substantial A complete loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the rough terrain encountered during the forced landing.
Aug 16, 2008 Huntington, IN N733KC Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadvertent use of the toe …

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadvertent use of the toe brake.

Aug 14, 2008 Cincinnati, OH N21SZ Incident substantial The student pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing. Contributing to the accident were the improper flare and excessive airspeed.
Aug 10, 2008 Charlottesville, VA N5210A Incident substantial The pilot's improper flare while landing. Contributing to the accident was the gusty wind condition.
Aug 09, 2008 Monroeville, AL N1600U Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for winds during landing. Contributing to the accident was a wind gust.
Aug 08, 2008 Incline Village, NV N15963 Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot's decision to initiate a flight for which he was neither approved nor qualified and his failure to maintain terrain clearance during the fli…

The pilot's decision to initiate a flight for which he was neither approved nor qualified and his failure to maintain terrain clearance during the flight. Contributing to the accident were the dark night, the mountainous terrain, and the pilot's medical condition.

Aug 04, 2008 Gearhart, OR N828CC Fatal (2) destroyed The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the initial climb after takeoff due to spatial disorientation.
Aug 03, 2008 Jefferson, NC N73594 Minor substantial
A loss of directional control during the takeoff roll for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the severity of the event was the descending embankmen…

A loss of directional control during the takeoff roll for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the severity of the event was the descending embankment adjacent to the runway.

Aug 02, 2008 Wingate, NC N6026A Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a go-around.
Aug 02, 2008 Anchorage, AK N2357U Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare/touchdown, which resulted in a runway excursion and collapse of the nose …

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare/touchdown, which resulted in a runway excursion and collapse of the nose gear.

Aug 02, 2008 Tomahawk, WI N6520R Minor substantial
A total loss of engine power due to a loss of all of the engine's oil as a result of the safety wire on the governor idler gear shaft's oil plug break…

A total loss of engine power due to a loss of all of the engine's oil as a result of the safety wire on the governor idler gear shaft's oil plug breaking, leading to the oil plug coming unscrewed. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a suitable area for a forced landing.

Jul 30, 2008 Honolulu, HI N5329L Incident substantial The flight's encounter with the jet wash from a parked commercial airplane while taxiing for takeoff.
Jul 27, 2008 McMurray, WA N75558 Fatal (3) substantial
The pilot's improper decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological weather conditions. Contributing to the accident were low ceiling…

The pilot's improper decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological weather conditions. Contributing to the accident were low ceilings, reduced visibility, and mountainous terrain.

Jul 26, 2008 Athens, TX N6257E Serious (1) substantial
A partial loss of engine power during initial climb due to undetermined reasons, which led to an uncontrolled descent and subsequent aerodynamic stall…

A partial loss of engine power during initial climb due to undetermined reasons, which led to an uncontrolled descent and subsequent aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper preflight decision to attempt the flight with a suspected engine problem.

Jul 26, 2008 Stevensville, MD N331ME Minor substantial The flight instructor's inadequate remedial action following the student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Jul 22, 2008 Bountiful, UT N7672 Minor substantial A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Jul 21, 2008 Salmon, ID N9912Q Incident substantial
The pilot's decision to take off in known adverse wind conditions that lead to an encounter with a windshear, the resulting inability of the pilot to …

The pilot's decision to take off in known adverse wind conditions that lead to an encounter with a windshear, the resulting inability of the pilot to maintain airspeed, and a stall/mush into the terrain.

Jul 20, 2008 Leavenworth, WA N80849 Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and failure to attain a sufficient airspeed to continue the takeoff. A contributing factor was the high den…

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and failure to attain a sufficient airspeed to continue the takeoff. A contributing factor was the high density altitude and short runway.

Jul 16, 2008 Williamstown, NJ N739UG Incident substantial
The student pilot's inability to maintain directional control during the attempted aborted landing. Contributing to the severity of the accident were …

The student pilot's inability to maintain directional control during the attempted aborted landing. Contributing to the severity of the accident were the trees.

Jul 12, 2008 Edgewater, MD N734AT Incident substantial The pilot's misjudged distance/speed during landing.
Jul 09, 2008 Moorpark, CA N9627B Minor substantial
A partial loss of engine power due to the disconnection of the throttle control cable from the throttle arm due to the operator's improper maintenance…

A partial loss of engine power due to the disconnection of the throttle control cable from the throttle arm due to the operator's improper maintenance. Contributing to the accident was unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.

Jul 09, 2008 Byron, CA N354ES Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout.
Jul 06, 2008 Pomona, CA N8881U Incident substantial Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and his failure to refuel the airplane.
Jun 30, 2008 Oakland, CA N61736 Minor substantial
A loss of engine power due to oil starvation. The oil starvation event was due to the failure of maintenance personnel to tighten the mounting bolts …

A loss of engine power due to oil starvation. The oil starvation event was due to the failure of maintenance personnel to tighten the mounting bolts for the newly installed vacuum pump.

Jun 28, 2008 Sa Pobla, SP EC-IRP Fatal (3) substantial Investigation pending
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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