Cessna 172 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 6810 events recorded from 1974 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 23, 2015 | Sussex, NJ | N9959V | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to remove the gust lock during the preflight inspection, resulting in a loss of control and collision with trees during takeoff. |
| Apr 30, 2015 | Los Angeles, CA | N65813 | Minor | substantial | The student pilot's failure to maintain attitude control during the landing flare, resulting in a hard landing. |
| Mar 15, 2015 | Williamson, GA | N8452X | Minor | substantial |
The separation of the nosewheel upon landing due to a missing bolt that attached the upper torque assembly to the nosewheel steering arm assembly. Whe…The separation of the nosewheel upon landing due to a missing bolt that attached the upper torque assembly to the nosewheel steering arm assembly. When and how the bolt separated could not be determined. |
| Jan 26, 2015 | Makaha, HI | N422BP | Minor | substantial | A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was ditched and not recovered. |
| Dec 22, 2014 | South Bimini, BF | N12182 | Minor | substantial |
The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have…The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, which resulted in a subsequent ditching in the ocean. |
| Oct 05, 2014 | Sedona, AZ | N2179L | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during the landing roll out. |
| Sep 11, 2014 | Spruce Creek, FL | N63835 | Minor | substantial | A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted from the pilots’ improper preflight and in-flight fuel planning. |
| Sep 09, 2014 | Watertown, CT | N20469 | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's decision to takeoff from a field which resulted in a collision with trees and the ground. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's fai…The pilot's decision to takeoff from a field which resulted in a collision with trees and the ground. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to correctly identify the destination airport and runway, which resulted in an off-airport landing in the field. |
| Aug 06, 2014 | Valkaria, FL | N9400E | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance on final approach during a precautionary landing, resulting in a touchdown off the departure end of the …The pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance on final approach during a precautionary landing, resulting in a touchdown off the departure end of the runway and collision with terrain. A factor in the accident was a partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined in post accident testing. |
| Aug 01, 2014 | Apalachicola, FL | N5276U | Minor | substantial | A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examination and testing. |
| Jun 29, 2014 | Orlando, FL | N775SP | Minor | substantial | The flight instructor's failure to maintain control while taxiing in a strong gusty wind. |
| May 31, 2014 | Mount Pleasant, PA | N8394U | Minor | substantial | The pilot's incorrect takeoff procedures from the soft grass runway and his delay in aborting the takeoff after recognizing slow acceleration. |
| Mar 18, 2014 | Elizabethton, TN | N46603 | Minor | substantial |
The pilot’s delayed decision to maneuver around rising terrain, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was…The pilot’s delayed decision to maneuver around rising terrain, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to calculate the performance requirements needed to climb over mountainous terrain before the flight. |
| Feb 17, 2014 | Caldwell, NJ | N426SP | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. |
| Jan 25, 2014 | Boulder, CO | N738LQ | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during final approach with known turbulence present. |
| Dec 30, 2013 | Concordia, KS | N1176M | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glidepath during approach which resulted in the airplane landing long, and his decision to turn off of the ru…The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glidepath during approach which resulted in the airplane landing long, and his decision to turn off of the runway during the landing roll which resulted in a collision with an earth berm. |
| Dec 29, 2013 | Pacoima, CA | N4936D | Minor | substantial | The flight instructor’s inadequate compensation for the gusting crosswind conditions during landing, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. |
| Nov 02, 2013 | Loveland, CO | N6303E | Minor | substantial | A dragging right brake, which resulted in an un-commanded right turn, and subsequent ground loop. |
| Oct 21, 2013 | Hardin, MT | N80257 | Minor | substantial |
A rough-running engine and partial loss of power, which resulted from the pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat appropriately while operating in an a…A rough-running engine and partial loss of power, which resulted from the pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat appropriately while operating in an area conducive to carburetor icing. |
| Oct 05, 2013 | Gainesville, FL | N8715U | Minor | substantial | A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident engine examination and test run revealed no anomalies. |
| Aug 30, 2013 | McComb, MS | N7892G | Minor | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during approach to landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control. |
| Aug 25, 2013 | Shelter Island, NY | N392ES | Minor | substantial | The pilot did not attain the proper touchdown point on the runway, which resulted in a runway excursion. |
| Aug 20, 2013 | Meeteetse, WY | N516MA | Minor | substantial |
The student pilot's inadequate preflight planning and failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain, which resulted in controlled flight into terr…The student pilot's inadequate preflight planning and failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of situational awareness. |
| Jul 26, 2013 | Farmingdale, NJ | N61929 | Minor | substantial |
The airplane’s loss of lift shortly after picking up a banner for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations revealed no a…The airplane’s loss of lift shortly after picking up a banner for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. |
| Jul 05, 2013 | Monroe, WA | N686SP | Minor | substantial |
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action that resulted…The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action that resulted in a runway excursion. |