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
Dec 04, 2004 Englewood, CO N55250 Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Nov 29, 2004 Smyrna, TN N78402 Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning of fuel required for the flight, and his inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulted in fuel exhau…

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning of fuel required for the flight, and his inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power.

Nov 28, 2004 Belle Plaine, MN N2663L Incident substantial A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during descent, and the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing.
Nov 21, 2004 Zephyrhills, FL N7493X Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to set the parking brake and his improper starting procedure which resulted in an unattended aircraft running away after hand star…

The pilot's failure to set the parking brake and his improper starting procedure which resulted in an unattended aircraft running away after hand starting the engine and the airplane colliding with parked airplanes, incurring substantial damage.

Nov 21, 2004 Rupert, WV N3750S Incident substantial
The pilot’s delayed application of carburetor heat, which resulted in a rough running engine. A factor was the bulldozer on the logging road where th…

The pilot’s delayed application of carburetor heat, which resulted in a rough running engine. A factor was the bulldozer on the logging road where the pilot performed a precautionary landing.

Nov 21, 2004 Martinsburg, WV N5294W Incident substantial A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Nov 21, 2004 Anderson, IN N967SA Incident substantial The student pilot's improper flare and his inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
Nov 20, 2004 Lakeville, MN N737CR Incident substantial The pilot misjudged his distance and speed which resulted in an overrun.. Factors were the wet runway, the grass and the berm.
Nov 19, 2004 Mansfield, MA N2120M Incident substantial The pilot's improper decision to taxi on a closed taxiway, and his misjudgment of obstacle clearance.
Nov 16, 2004 Loveland, CO N54165 Incident substantial
the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing and the student pilot's inadequate in-flight planning and decision making. …

the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing and the student pilot's inadequate in-flight planning and decision making. Contributing factors include the quartering tail wind, the high airspeed, and the airport sign.

Nov 14, 2004 Wilmington, NC N75776 Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to recognize the proper emergency procedure, which resulted in a precautionary landing in a field and subsequent collision…

The student pilot's failure to recognize the proper emergency procedure, which resulted in a precautionary landing in a field and subsequent collision with a ditch. Factors were the undetermined electrical malfunction, smoke in the cockpit, and the student pilot's lack of experience.

Nov 09, 2004 Sanford, FL N8077E Incident substantial The improper flare by the pilot in command resulting in a hard landing, Restricted movement of the throttle was a contributing factor.
Nov 05, 2004 Chandler, AZ N20519 Incident substantial
the pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing factors were his improper recovery from the subsequent bounced landing and…

the pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing factors were his improper recovery from the subsequent bounced landing and pilot-induced oscillations.

Nov 04, 2004 Wolfeboro, NH N8803B Incident substantial
A jammed control wheel during landing. A contributing factor to the accident was the inadequate maintenance inspection of the airplane's flight contr…

A jammed control wheel during landing. A contributing factor to the accident was the inadequate maintenance inspection of the airplane's flight control system.

Nov 03, 2004 Columbia, SC N4874G Serious (1) substantial The pilot's inadequate preflight planning of fuel required for the flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power.
Nov 01, 2004 Kingman, AZ N6140R Incident substantial Landing gear extension system component failure resulting in a gear up landing.
Oct 30, 2004 Olympia, WA N53161 Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering in known adverse weather conditions. Clouds, rain, high wind, dark night, tre…

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering in known adverse weather conditions. Clouds, rain, high wind, dark night, trees, mountainous terrain and the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision were factors.

Oct 29, 2004 Mobile, AL N2845Q Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and his inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulted in fuel exhaustion and subsequent collision wi…

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and his inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulted in fuel exhaustion and subsequent collision with the ground.

Oct 20, 2004 West Columbia, SC N37CJ Incident substantial
The student pilot's improper landing flare, inadequate recovery from a bounced landing and failure to maintain directional control during rollout. A f…

The student pilot's improper landing flare, inadequate recovery from a bounced landing and failure to maintain directional control during rollout. A factor was the runway sign.

Oct 10, 2004 Germantown, NY N2771J Fatal (2) substantial
The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision which led to VFR flight into IMC and his loss of aircraft control. Factors were night and cloud co…

The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision which led to VFR flight into IMC and his loss of aircraft control. Factors were night and cloud conditions.

Oct 09, 2004 Eliot, ME N80657 Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning decision, which resulted a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Oct 09, 2004 Knoxville, TN N78211 Serious (1) The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed on initial take off climb resulted in an inadvertent stall and an uncontrolled descent into the ground.
Oct 07, 2004 Casper, WY N73764 Incident substantial
the student pilot's improper flare resulting in a hard landing. A factor contributing to the accident was the student pilot's improper recovery from …

the student pilot's improper flare resulting in a hard landing. A factor contributing to the accident was the student pilot's improper recovery from the bounced landing.

Sep 30, 2004 Broomfield, CO N802SP Incident substantial the pilot's improper flare, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the pilot.
Sep 29, 2004 Gadsden, AL N4336Q Fatal (2) destroyed
The flight instructors failure to maintain clearance and his inadequate visual lookout while flying low over a river resulting in an in-flight collisi…

The flight instructors failure to maintain clearance and his inadequate visual lookout while flying low over a river resulting in an in-flight collision with a wire.

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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