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
Jun 27, 2008 Skykomish, WA N94HJ Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision and failure to execute a go-around when the airplane floated during the flare. Contributing to the…

The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision and failure to execute a go-around when the airplane floated during the flare. Contributing to the accident was the short and wet turf runway surface, which reduced braking action.

Jun 26, 2008 El Cajon, CA N6360D Incident substantial
The loss of engine power due to carburetor ice resulting from the flight instructor's failure to use the carburetor heat when simulating an engine fai…

The loss of engine power due to carburetor ice resulting from the flight instructor's failure to use the carburetor heat when simulating an engine failure. Contributing to the accident were the carburetor icing weather condition and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Jun 25, 2008 Stevensville, MD N3504X Incident substantial The flight instructor's delayed decision to go around.
Jun 25, 2008 Toms River, NJ N13105 Minor substantial The failure of the pilot's seat to engage or remain engaged due to the improper inspection of the worn seat tracks.
Jun 24, 2008 San Diego, CA N9629V Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a touch-and-go landing.
Jun 23, 2008 Oceanside, CA N2436F Fatal (2) destroyed Failure of the pilot to regain airplane control during an intentional stall/spin maneuver.
Jun 21, 2008 Tishomingo, OK N5178Y Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, resulting in an inadvertent stall during the landing flare. Contributing factors in this accident wa…

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, resulting in an inadvertent stall during the landing flare. Contributing factors in this accident was the terrain-induced turbulence, and the instructor's inadequate supervision of the pilot.

Jun 20, 2008 Orangeburg, SC N65357 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point on landing.
Jun 19, 2008 Lancaster, PA N52632 Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout.
Jun 17, 2008 Pahala, HI N13713 Fatal (3) substantial
The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to remain clear of rising terrain while deviating from h…

The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to remain clear of rising terrain while deviating from his planned route of flight. Contributing to the accident were clouds and mountainous terrain.

Jun 13, 2008 Daytona Beach, FL N65939 Incident substantial The student pilot's improper flare.
Jun 12, 2008 Beaver, UT N233GW Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed during the initial climb as a result of his inadequate preflight planning and improper…

The pilot's failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed during the initial climb as a result of his inadequate preflight planning and improper use of the mixture control. Contributing to the accident were the tailwind and high density altitude.

Jun 11, 2008 Cincinnati, OH N31SZ Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a building during taxi. A factor was the building.
Jun 09, 2008 Byron, CA N9328H Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout.
Jun 09, 2008 Athens, OH N230U Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. A factor contributing to the accident was a nose wheel vibration.
Jun 06, 2008 Byron, CA N73403 Incident substantial
The flight instructor's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, and his inadequate supervision of the student pilot. Factors contributing to …

The flight instructor's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, and his inadequate supervision of the student pilot. Factors contributing to the accident were a sudden wind shift and wind gusts.

Jun 06, 2008 Santa Rosa, CA N6494E Minor substantial The pilot's improper in-flight decision making and inadequate fuel consumption calculations that resulted in fuel exhaustion.
Jun 05, 2008 Anchorage, AK N9752B Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing. Contributing to the accident was a crosswind.
Jun 04, 2008 Nortonville, ND N1437Y Minor substantial
The pilot's inadequate preflight which resulted in insufficient fuel on board to complete the flight. A factor associated with the accident was the s…

The pilot's inadequate preflight which resulted in insufficient fuel on board to complete the flight. A factor associated with the accident was the soft terrain encountered during the forced landing.

Jun 04, 2008 Bremerton, WA N52807 Incident substantial The student pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
Jun 01, 2008 Brockport, NY N3910R Serious (2) substantial A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the flight instructor's inadequate preflight planning.
May 30, 2008 Monticello, UT N389ES Fatal (2) substantial The in-flight collision with mountainous terrain for undetermined reasons. *This report was modified on December 10, 2009.
May 28, 2008 Big Bear City, CA N21134 Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while on approach to landing that resulted in a stall/mush. Contributing to the accident was the wi…

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while on approach to landing that resulted in a stall/mush. Contributing to the accident was the wind shear and the high density altitude condition.

May 28, 2008 San Antonio, TX N9144H Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an object while taxiing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's diverted attention and a vehicl…

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an object while taxiing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's diverted attention and a vehicle.

May 26, 2008 Sells, AZ N2857E Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing and failure to maintain proper runway alignment.
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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