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
May 17, 1998 VAN NUYS, CA N7222T Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance due to his inadequate visual lookout and selection of the wrong taxi route. Contributing factors w…

The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance due to his inadequate visual lookout and selection of the wrong taxi route. Contributing factors were the pilot's diverted attention while taxiing in the vicinity of a construction area.

May 17, 1998 ROBERTA, GA N6562V Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate compliance with the emergency procedures for his failure to completely pump the main landing gear into the down and locked posi…

The pilot's inadequate compliance with the emergency procedures for his failure to completely pump the main landing gear into the down and locked position. Contributing to the accident was the reported loss of electrical power for undetermined reasons.

May 16, 1998 FORT MYERS, FL N63012 Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate inflight decision and her selection of unsuitable terrain to conduct a precautionary landing.
May 10, 1998 GEORGETOWN, TX N99570 Incident substantial
inadequate supervision by the flight instructor (CFI), by failing to ensure that the student obtained and/or maintained sufficient airspeed, which led…

inadequate supervision by the flight instructor (CFI), by failing to ensure that the student obtained and/or maintained sufficient airspeed, which led to an inadvertent stall and collision with the terrain.

May 09, 1998 WEST PALM BEACH, FL N733LW Incident substantial
the dual student's failure to use carburetor heat while circling at a reduced power setting, and the flight instructor's failure to properly supervise…

the dual student's failure to use carburetor heat while circling at a reduced power setting, and the flight instructor's failure to properly supervise the student.

May 07, 1998 ELKHART, IN N8994V Incident substantial the pilot's disorientation that led him to believe he was on the active runway. A factor was the pilot's inattentiveness.
May 05, 1998 ENUMCLAW, WA N6468D Incident substantial
The pilot's continued VFR flight into IMC conditions and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Clouds and mountainous terrain were a factor…

The pilot's continued VFR flight into IMC conditions and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Clouds and mountainous terrain were a factor.

May 03, 1998 KEY WEST, FL N54743 Incident substantial
failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. The student pilot's lack of experience in the m…

failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. The student pilot's lack of experience in the make and model of airplane was a related factor.

May 03, 1998 OCEAN SHORES, WA N1673V Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a light standard (utility pole) just off the edge of the parking ramp. Factors include a light standard…

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a light standard (utility pole) just off the edge of the parking ramp. Factors include a light standard placed near the edge of the parking ramp.

Apr 26, 1998 GREENVILLE, SC N9769B Incident substantial The pilot's use of full flaps while landing in a strong crosswind resulting in loss of directional control during the landing roll.
Apr 26, 1998 ANCHOR POINT, AK N8969V Incident substantial The pilot's failure to compensate for a crosswind. A related factor was the crosswind.
Apr 26, 1998 HENDERSON, NV N64006 Incident substantial
The pilot's decision to attempt a landing in crosswind conditions at or above the demonstrated capability of the aircraft, and his subsequent failure …

The pilot's decision to attempt a landing in crosswind conditions at or above the demonstrated capability of the aircraft, and his subsequent failure to maintain proper runway alignment.

Apr 25, 1998 EAGLE RIVER, WI N79006 Incident substantial
the pilot failed to compensate for the wind conditions, improperly executed a go-around when he raised the flaps, and failed to maintain obstacle clea…

the pilot failed to compensate for the wind conditions, improperly executed a go-around when he raised the flaps, and failed to maintain obstacle clearance with the trees.

Apr 25, 1998 PARKER, CO N6356D Incident substantial
a fractured #1 exhaust valve rocker arm stud, which subsequently resulted in loss of engine power and a forced landing. The lack of suitable terrain …

a fractured #1 exhaust valve rocker arm stud, which subsequently resulted in loss of engine power and a forced landing. The lack of suitable terrain in the forced landing area was a related factor.

Apr 25, 1998 LA PORTE, TX N52188 Incident substantial The pilot's premature landing flare and improper recovery procedures from a bounced landing. A factor was the gusty winds.
Apr 24, 1998 SUPERIOR, NE N13834 Incident substantial
the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the sign. Factors associated with the accident were the sign which the airplane contacted and inadequa…

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the sign. Factors associated with the accident were the sign which the airplane contacted and inadequate preflight planning/preparation.

Apr 12, 1998 STEVENSVILLE, MD N734MN Incident substantial the pilot's improper flare, improper recover from a bounced landing, and failure to maintain directional control.
Apr 08, 1998 SANTA BARBARA, CA N6417J Incident substantial The pilot's misjudging the landing flare and subsequent hard landing.
Mar 31, 1998 FORT COLLINS, CO N7894U Incident substantial the pilot's improper in flight planning/decision in electing to land with a known 30 knot tailwind. Factors were high winds and a tailwind.
Mar 31, 1998 KINGSPORT, TN N9233H Incident destroyed
The dual student's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall mush. Contributing to the accident were the flight instructor's in…

The dual student's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall mush. Contributing to the accident were the flight instructor's inadequate supervision and the night conditions.

Mar 29, 1998 PLAINVILLE, CT N9821L Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate crosswind compensation.
Mar 25, 1998 PAXSON, AK N7339T Incident destroyed The pilots failure to maintain terrain clearance while flying into a box canyon, and an inadvertent stall during his attempt to reverse direction.
Mar 22, 1998 KINSTON, NC N35326 Incident substantial
the pilot's inadequate preflight and improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and a forced landing. Soft te…

the pilot's inadequate preflight and improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and a forced landing. Soft terrain in the emergency landing area was a related factor.

Mar 13, 1998 ARCADIA, FL N54634 Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate pre-flight and in-flight planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of power. Trees and rough/uneven terrain are…

The pilot's inadequate pre-flight and in-flight planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of power. Trees and rough/uneven terrain are contributing factors.

Mar 06, 1998 DESTIN, FL N53456 Incident substantial the pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a hard 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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