Cessna 172 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 6810 events recorded from 1974 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 10, 2002 | Mocksville, NC | N62602 | Serious (2) | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the takeoff and initial climb which resulted in an inadvertent stall and the subsequent collision with…The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the takeoff and initial climb which resulted in an inadvertent stall and the subsequent collision with trees. |
| Aug 12, 2002 | Tinaquillo, VE | YV1856P | Serious (1) | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Aug 11, 2002 | West Milford, NJ | N6257R | Serious (2) | substantial | The private pilot's excessive rotation and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. |
| Aug 04, 2002 | Marietta, OK | N431ME | Serious (3) | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall. |
| Aug 01, 2002 | Patuxent River, MD | N1177M | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot's inadequate fuel calculations, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent loss of engine power. |
| Jun 27, 2002 | Perry, GA | N4406L | Serious (2) | substantial | The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection that resulted in fuel starvation due to fuel system contamination and the subsequent loss of engine power. |
| Jun 04, 2002 | Mountain Ranch, CA | N61569 | Serious (2) | substantial | the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation and his in-flight planning/decision resulting in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power. |
| May 24, 2002 | Lake Thomas A., CA | N79944 | Serious (1) | substantial |
a partial loss of engine power due to the partial malfunction of the left magneto and leakage of the ignition leads for that magneto, due to inadequat…a partial loss of engine power due to the partial malfunction of the left magneto and leakage of the ignition leads for that magneto, due to inadequate maintenance inspections. Factors in the accident include the high density altitude, the maintenance personnel's failure to accomplish a service bulletin, and the effects of the pilot's manipulation of the mixture and carburetor heat controls. |
| Apr 13, 2002 | Smithfield, NC | N8458U | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning that resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent loss of engine power. |
| Mar 16, 2002 | Fruitland, UT | N66076 | Serious (2) | destroyed |
the pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat. Contributing factors included carburetor icing conditions, the unavailability of suitable terrain on whi…the pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat. Contributing factors included carburetor icing conditions, the unavailability of suitable terrain on which to make a forced landing, and night conditions. |
| Jan 26, 2002 | Payson, AZ | N5264R | Serious (1) | substantial | Failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane. A contributing factor was the premature raising of the flaps. |
| Jan 09, 2002 | Durango, CO | N3535E | Serious (2) | substantial |
the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the trees and mountainous terrain while maneuvering. A contributing factor was the pilot's delay in ta…the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the trees and mountainous terrain while maneuvering. A contributing factor was the pilot's delay in taking remedial action. |
| Dec 19, 2001 | New Smyrna Bch, FL | N9882V | Serious (4) | substantial |
the failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed, during initial climb out, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, and subsequent impact with the terrai…the failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed, during initial climb out, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, and subsequent impact with the terrain. |
| Nov 15, 2001 | Leesburg, VA | N346ME | Serious (1) | destroyed | The pilot's improper stowage of hazardous material. |
| Oct 18, 2001 | Ashland, VA | N4834G | Serious | — | The line technician's inadvertent contact with the propeller during a hand-propped engine start. |
| Oct 04, 2001 | Phillips, ME | N7591X | Serious (1) | substantial | Loss of engine power due to a blockage of the left fuel tank vent line with mud, and the subsequent inadvertent stall. |
| Oct 01, 2001 | Lindsay, MT | N3910F | Serious (1) | destroyed | The pilot's failure to maintain an altitude clear of terrain. A factor was intentional low altitude flight. |
| Aug 15, 2001 | Peyton, CO | N733BW | Serious (1) | substantial |
The pilot's improper go-around procedure and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor was the pilot…The pilot's improper go-around procedure and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor was the pilot's lack of total experience. |
| Aug 13, 2001 | Brockport, NY | N7878G | Serious (2) | substantial |
The pilot's delayed go-around during the landing attempt. Factors included the dark night conditions and the pilot's inadequate preflight decision to…The pilot's delayed go-around during the landing attempt. Factors included the dark night conditions and the pilot's inadequate preflight decision to fly to an airport with inoperative surface lighting. |
| Aug 06, 2001 | COOPER LANDING, AK | N813SP | Serious (2) | substantial |
The pilot's inadequate remedial action to disconnect the autopilot during an uncommanded altitude deviation while in cruise flight. Factors in the ac…The pilot's inadequate remedial action to disconnect the autopilot during an uncommanded altitude deviation while in cruise flight. Factors in the accident were activation of the autopilot; the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airplane's autopilot system; her failure to attain the proper touchdown point during an emergency landing, and delayed go-around resulting in an overrun and collision with trees; the operator's insufficient training standards for the airplane, and the pilot's flight instructor's failure to provide adequate upgrade/transition training in the airplane. |
| Aug 04, 2001 | Parkersburg, WV | N7821G | Serious (1) | substantial | The student pilot's failure to obtain a proper rate of climb, resulting in a collision with trees. |
| Aug 01, 2001 | Eagle River, AK | N5312T | Serious (1) | substantial | The fatigue induced fracture of a connecting rod wrist pin, resulting in a complete loss of engine power. |
| Jul 28, 2001 | Gunnison, CO | N401TA | Serious (3) | destroyed |
the pilot's failure to attain the proper climb rate, and his improper inflight planning/decision to attempt to cross mountainous terrain at an inadequ…the pilot's failure to attain the proper climb rate, and his improper inflight planning/decision to attempt to cross mountainous terrain at an inadequate altitude. Contributing factors were the downdraft and the pilot's total lack of experience in mountain flying. |
| Jul 09, 2001 | Caldwell, TX | N7332F | Serious (1) | substantial |
the solo student pilot's intentional engine shutdown, while practicing emergency landing prodecures. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable t…the solo student pilot's intentional engine shutdown, while practicing emergency landing prodecures. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. |
| Jun 18, 2001 | Richmond Hill, CA | C-GMHU | Serious (1) | substantial | Investigation pending |