Cessna 172B Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 70 events recorded from 1982 to 2023.

70

All Events

40

Incidents

14

Minor

10

Serious

6

Fatal (10 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Jun 17, 2023 San Angelo, TX N7509X Incident substantial A partial loss of engine power due to loose bolts holding the carburetor throttle body to the fuel bowl.
Dec 28, 2016 Prairie Du Sac, WI N6941X Incident substantial
The pilot's decision to taxi the airplane from the roadway and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from signs and a fence after a successful …

The pilot's decision to taxi the airplane from the roadway and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from signs and a fence after a successful emergency landing following a total loss of engine power.

Jun 13, 2014 Frankfort, KY N7540X Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in crosswind conditions, resulting in a loss of control and runway excursion.
Mar 22, 2014 Mt Olive, NC N8988B Incident substantial The pilot's failure to adequately secure the airplane before hand-propping the engine for startup.
Sep 08, 2013 Shellman Bluff, GA N7619X Incident substantial An inadvertent collision with a deer during landing.
Aug 18, 2013 Sisters, OR N8141X Incident substantial
A loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because the engine was not properly preserved to prevent corrosio…

A loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because the engine was not properly preserved to prevent corrosion after the wreckage was recovered from the lake.

Jul 23, 2011 Middleton, WI N7624X Incident substantial
The total loss of engine power during climb after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any…

The total loss of engine power during climb after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Sep 29, 2010 Oconomowoc, WI N7560X Incident substantial The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing the float-equipped airplane on a turf runway.
Aug 14, 2007 Seattle, WA N7657X Incident substantial
The private pilot's failure to see the approaching large wake swell, both during his landing and the subsequent takeoff, and the failure of the instru…

The private pilot's failure to see the approaching large wake swell, both during his landing and the subsequent takeoff, and the failure of the instructor pilot to insure that the private pilot's visual lookout was effective enough to detect the oncoming wake. Factors include a wake generated by a large boat.

Aug 07, 2007 Sisters, OR N7604X Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees.
Apr 16, 2005 Collegeville, PA N7653X Incident substantial
The pilot's inadvertent encounter with a downdraft, which resulted in a collision with trees. A factor related to the accident was the downdraft wind…

The pilot's inadvertent encounter with a downdraft, which resulted in a collision with trees. A factor related to the accident was the downdraft wind conditions.

Mar 07, 2005 South Naknek, AK N7871X Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during taxi after landing, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. A factor associated wi…

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during taxi after landing, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. A factor associated with the accident was the gusty wind condition.

Sep 12, 2004 Wiscasset, ME N7422X Incident substantial The failure of the oil filter adapter seal, which resulted in a loss of oil pressure, and subsequent catastrophic engine failure, and forced landing.
Mar 26, 2003 Tulsa, OK N6947X Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall.
Aug 20, 2000 SUNRIVER, OR N8178X Incident substantial
The pilot's improper decision to continue the takeoff after the aircraft failed to climb or accelerate immediately after the initial liftoff. Factors …

The pilot's improper decision to continue the takeoff after the aircraft failed to climb or accelerate immediately after the initial liftoff. Factors were inadequate preflight planning, to include the pilot's failure to calculate takeoff performance data, trees off the departure end of the runway, a high density altitude environment, and wet, swampy/marshy terrain in the area where the pilot found it necessary to execute a precautionary/emergency landing.

Nov 01, 1999 BEAUMONT, TX N7833X Incident substantial
Fuel exhaustion as a result of the flight instructor's failure to refuel the airplane. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landi…

Fuel exhaustion as a result of the flight instructor's failure to refuel the airplane. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Oct 27, 1999 ENGLEWOOD, CO N7906X Incident substantial
The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing roll. Factors were the gusty crosswind and the runway l…

The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing roll. Factors were the gusty crosswind and the runway light.

Mar 31, 1999 WINSLOW, AZ N7882X Incident substantial The pilot's decision to continue flight into known adverse wind conditions which exceeded the ground handling capability of the aircraft.
Mar 30, 1999 MT. AIRY, NC N7821X Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed during landing and his failure to attain a proper touchdown point on the runway.
Sep 07, 1998 NEW PORT RICHEY, FL N8096X Incident substantial
The pilots disregard of the performance capabilities of the airplane, his failure to attain and maintain flying speed, and his exceeding of the airpla…

The pilots disregard of the performance capabilities of the airplane, his failure to attain and maintain flying speed, and his exceeding of the airplane's maximum weight.

Dec 06, 1997 HENDERSON, NC N172MT Incident substantial The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
May 27, 1995 SINCLAIR ISLAND, WA N7996X Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE A TAILWIND, WET GRASS, AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE REMEDIA…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE A TAILWIND, WET GRASS, AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION.

Dec 07, 1994 SEGUIN, TX N7697X Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT.
Oct 21, 1994 HONESDALE, PA N7491E Incident substantial
the fuel selector was in the improper position, which resulted in a total loss of engine power, due to fuel starvation, a forced landing, and subseque…

the fuel selector was in the improper position, which resulted in a total loss of engine power, due to fuel starvation, a forced landing, and subsequent impact with a stone wall.

Sep 28, 1994 POTEAU, OK N7617X Incident substantial
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO THE PILOT'S DELAYED USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT AND THE RESULTANT CARBURETOR ICING. FACTORS WERE THE WEATHER CONDITION AND …

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO THE PILOT'S DELAYED USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT AND THE RESULTANT CARBURETOR ICING. FACTORS WERE THE WEATHER CONDITION AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED 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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Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data