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 31, 2013 | Eatonville, WA | N7701T | Minor | substantial |
A partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a go-around, which resulted in a s…A partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a go-around, which resulted in a stall. |
| May 01, 2013 | Covington, LA | N8899V | Minor | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during a banner towing operation, which resulted in the airplane stalling and landing hard. |
| Apr 27, 2013 | Dade City, FL | N5944J | Minor | substantial | The in-flight loosening of the No. 3 cylinder exhaust valve rocker arm stud, which resulted in a complete loss of engine power. |
| Apr 13, 2013 | Summersville, WV | N6136F | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing, which resulted in a runway excursion. |
| Apr 08, 2013 | Manvel, TX | N7825T | Minor | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while taking off in gusting wind conditions. |
| Mar 22, 2013 | Temecula, CA | N5931R | Minor | substantial | The pilot's inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. |
| Mar 17, 2013 | Gila Bend, AZ | N5802J | Minor | substantial | The student pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during an attempted go-around. |
| Feb 18, 2013 | Okeechobee, FL | N6249D | Minor | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. |
| Feb 17, 2013 | Akron, CO | N6199E | Minor | destroyed | The pilot’s physical impairment due to alcohol intoxication, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall during landing. |
| Jan 20, 2013 | Marysville, CA | N5208F | Minor | substantial |
A total loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel starvation, which resulted from maintenance personnel’s improper installation of the fue…A total loss of engine power during initial climb due to fuel starvation, which resulted from maintenance personnel’s improper installation of the fuel selector handle. Contributing to the accident was an incorrectly modified fuel selector handle assembly. |
| Dec 03, 2012 | Rochester, MN | N9853Q | Minor | substantial |
The pilot’s spatial disorientation during the instrument approach in night, instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the airplane desce…The pilot’s spatial disorientation during the instrument approach in night, instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the airplane descending below decision height and impacting terrain outside the lateral limits of the localizer. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent instrument flight experience. |
| Nov 11, 2012 | Maricopa, AZ | N65835 | Minor | substantial |
The pilot’s failure to maintain proper pitch control during the initial climb, which resulted in a stall, loss of airplane control, and collision with…The pilot’s failure to maintain proper pitch control during the initial climb, which resulted in a stall, loss of airplane control, and collision with terrain. |
| Nov 06, 2012 | Modesto, CA | N21391 | Minor | substantial | Failure of the throttle control cable during maneuvering flight, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power. |
| Nov 03, 2012 | Roanoke, TX | N985GE | Minor | substantial |
The student pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles on the runway approach path. Contributing to the accident was the airport management'…The student pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles on the runway approach path. Contributing to the accident was the airport management's decision to relocate the runway displaced threshold, which did not provide an adequate safety margin for approaching aircraft, and the automobile driver's inadequate lookout for approaching aircraft before crossing the runway's approach path. |
| Sep 01, 2012 | East Bend, NC | N377SP | Minor | substantial |
A total loss of engine power during the initial climb after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the engine did not…A total loss of engine power during the initial climb after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. |
| Aug 03, 2012 | Leesville, LA | N989BT | Minor | substantial |
The student pilot's failure to properly re-configure the airplane for a go-around, which resulted in a runway excursion when he decided to land on the…The student pilot's failure to properly re-configure the airplane for a go-around, which resulted in a runway excursion when he decided to land on the remaining runway. |
| Aug 03, 2012 | Culpeper, VA | N6276Z | Minor | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during an attempted takeoff. |
| Jul 28, 2012 | Grand Canyon, AZ | N8100B | Minor | substantial | The pilot’s improper flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing. |
| Jun 30, 2012 | Glenwood Springs, CO | N917SA | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's decision to fly into a mountainous area where conditions were such that the airplane was unable to climb above rising terrain. Contributin…The pilot's decision to fly into a mountainous area where conditions were such that the airplane was unable to climb above rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's insufficient pilot-in-command experience and inadequate training in mountain flying. |
| Jun 09, 2012 | San Andreas, CA | N7458X | Minor | substantial |
A loss of engine power in cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any a…A loss of engine power in cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. |
| May 27, 2012 | Silver City, ID | N4640L | Minor | substantial | The pilot‘s failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering in mountainous terrain with reduced visibility, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. |
| May 25, 2012 | Wichita, KS | N73743 | Minor | substantial |
The student pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during landing and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in a colli…The student pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during landing and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in a collision with terrain. |
| May 07, 2012 | Culebra, PR | N24461 | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to remove the flight control lock before takeoff. |
| May 05, 2012 | Cambridge, NY | N5551R | Minor | substantial | The pilot’s loss of airplane control during a takeoff in variable crosswind conditions. |
| Apr 03, 2012 | Johnson Valley, CA | N6749A | Minor | substantial | The pilot did not properly secure the airplane prior to rotating the propeller by hand, resulting in inadvertent movement of the airplane. |