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
Feb 12, 2006 Samana, DR HI-410CT Fatal (3) destroyed Investigation pending
Feb 12, 2006 New Hudson, MI N222UN Incident substantial
The solo student pilot's failure to properly compensate for the crosswind, resulting in his failure to maintain directional control during landing. F…

The solo student pilot's failure to properly compensate for the crosswind, resulting in his failure to maintain directional control during landing. Factors were the crosswind and the snow bank.

Feb 11, 2006 Sacramento, CA N739GY Incident substantial the failure of the pilot of the other airplane to maintain an adequate clearance from obstacles while taxiing.
Feb 02, 2006 Birmingham, AL N902NS Incident substantial
An in-flight collision with a deer during a go around, which resulted in damage to the left main landing gear and subsequent collapse of the left main…

An in-flight collision with a deer during a go around, which resulted in damage to the left main landing gear and subsequent collapse of the left main landing gear.

Jan 31, 2006 Snohomish, WA N492SF Incident substantial
Carburetor heat was not used during the initial climb in probable serious carburetor icing conditions during cruise power. Carburetor icing condition…

Carburetor heat was not used during the initial climb in probable serious carburetor icing conditions during cruise power. Carburetor icing conditions and wet terrain were factors.

Jan 25, 2006 Pagosa Springs, CO N1407Y Incident substantial
the pilot initiating flight into known adverse weather, and his delay in not taking remedial action sooner by not making a precautionary landing. Cont…

the pilot initiating flight into known adverse weather, and his delay in not taking remedial action sooner by not making a precautionary landing. Contributing factors include the pilot's failure to obtain preflight and in-flight weather briefings, his continuing VFR flight into IMC, snow-covered terrain, and trees.

Jan 22, 2006 Harrison, MI N8540B Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's impai…

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's impairment due to drugs.

Jan 18, 2006 Denver, CO N1322U Incident substantial
the pilot's failure to align the airplane's nose into the direction of the wind while performing the pre-takeoff checklist. A contributing factor was…

the pilot's failure to align the airplane's nose into the direction of the wind while performing the pre-takeoff checklist. A contributing factor was the gusty wind conditions.

Jan 08, 2006 Othello, WA N9852T Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. A factor was the berm.
Jan 03, 2006 Mendoza, AR PT-OJN Fatal (4) destroyed Investigation pending
Dec 27, 2005 Wilmington, NC N54360 Incident substantial The student pilot's improper landing flare which resulted in a hard landing.
Dec 23, 2005 Morris, IL N723PG Incident substantial
The pilot's improper in-flight decision to land with a quartering tailwind and not maintaining directional control. Factors were the quartering tailw…

The pilot's improper in-flight decision to land with a quartering tailwind and not maintaining directional control. Factors were the quartering tailwind and the snowdrift.

Dec 22, 2005 La Verne, CA N738AH Incident
the failure of the pilot of the other aircraft to comply with his air traffic control clearance and line up for the proper runway, and his failure to …

the failure of the pilot of the other aircraft to comply with his air traffic control clearance and line up for the proper runway, and his failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout, which resulted in his in-flight collision with the Cessna airplane.

Dec 22, 2005 Gilroy, CA N7383A Fatal (4) destroyed
The non-instrument rated pilot's poor judgment to fly in dark night instrument conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and loss of ai…

The non-instrument rated pilot's poor judgment to fly in dark night instrument conditions, which resulted in his spatial disorientation and loss of aircraft control while maneuvering. Contributing factors were the dark night light condition and the low ceiling.

Dec 16, 2005 Hialeah, FL N51434 Incident substantial
The failure of the CFI to perform a go-around following a long landing resulting in overrun, on ground encounter with soft terrain, and subsequent nos…

The failure of the CFI to perform a go-around following a long landing resulting in overrun, on ground encounter with soft terrain, and subsequent nose over.

Dec 16, 2005 Hana, HI N542SP Fatal (1) substantial Collision with mountainous terrain for undetermined reasons.
Dec 14, 2005 Pinon, NM N1257Z Fatal (1) destroyed the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane for undetermined reasons.
Dec 13, 2005 Mobile, AL N348SP Incident substantial The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Dec 12, 2005 Saint-Barthelem, GP N8547X Incident destroyed Investigation pending
Dec 11, 2005 Corona, CA N7187T Incident substantial failure of both pilots to see and avoid each other during traffic pattern operations at a non-towered airport.
Dec 10, 2005 Lawrence, KS N1053X Incident substantial
the student pilot's improper decision to continue taxiing through the field. Contributing factor's include student pilot's failure to maintain control…

the student pilot's improper decision to continue taxiing through the field. Contributing factor's include student pilot's failure to maintain control during the takeoff roll and the drainage ditch masked by snow.

Dec 06, 2005 Waycross, GA N1689F Incident substantial The student pilot's improper landing flare and the CFI's inadequate supervision resulting in a hard landing.
Nov 18, 2005 Kissimmee, FL N5182Z Incident substantial
The pilot's improper flare and remedial action during landing resulting in an in-flight loss of control and subsequent collision with terrain. A rel…

The pilot's improper flare and remedial action during landing resulting in an in-flight loss of control and subsequent collision with terrain. A related factor was the crosswind.

Nov 16, 2005 Rock Springs, WY N2870Q Incident substantial the loss of engine power for reasons undetermined. Contributing to the accident was the dark night and lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.
Nov 13, 2005 Ramona, CA N23899 Incident substantial the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing.
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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