Cessna 172E Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 100 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 14, 2026 | Kingman, AZ | N7783U | Incident | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Sep 02, 2021 | Enterprise, OR | N3965S | Incident | substantial |
The fatigue fracture of the nose gear upper torque link, which resulted in the separation of the torque link from the shock strut and a loss of direct…The fatigue fracture of the nose gear upper torque link, which resulted in the separation of the torque link from the shock strut and a loss of directional control. |
| Sep 19, 2015 | Gettysburg, PA | N3647S | Serious (2) | substantial |
The total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach speed durin…The total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach speed during the forced landing, which resulted in impact with trees. |
| Aug 30, 2013 | Apex, NC | N3513S | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point on the runway, which resulted in a runway overrun and subsequent aircraft noseover. |
| Aug 20, 2013 | Meeteetse, WY | N516MA | Minor | substantial |
The student pilot's inadequate preflight planning and failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain, which resulted in controlled flight into terr…The student pilot's inadequate preflight planning and failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of situational awareness. |
| 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. |
| Feb 03, 2012 | Dinsmore, CA | N3879S | Serious (1) | substantial |
The flight instructor's delayed remedial action, inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, and failure to attain/maintain adequate airspeed during a…The flight instructor's delayed remedial action, inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, and failure to attain/maintain adequate airspeed during an attempted go-around. |
| Nov 27, 2010 | Suisun City, CA | N5582T | Minor | substantial | A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. |
| Aug 22, 2010 | Mammoth Lakes, CA | N7807U | Serious (4) | substantial |
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and airplane control during takeoff in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in an aerody…The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and airplane control during takeoff in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. |
| Apr 03, 2010 | West Milford, NJ | N5528T | Fatal (1) | substantial | The complete loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. |
| Apr 25, 2009 | Como, MS | N5683T | Minor | substantial | The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing. |
| Apr 22, 2009 | Tucson, AZ | N3880S | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the gusting crosswinds. |
| Jan 23, 2009 | Plano, TX | N5420T | Incident | substantial | A loss of engine power in flight due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate fuel planning. |
| Dec 09, 2007 | Fair Bluff, NC | N3699S | Incident | destroyed | The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which failed to detect contaminated fuel, and subsequent loss of engine power. |
| May 23, 2007 | Leesburg, VA | N3982S | Minor | substantial | The loss of engine power that resulted from the failure of an exhaust valve rocker arm during cruise. |
| Mar 16, 2007 | Pleasanton, KS | N5759T | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a go-around. Contributing factors were the gusts and crosswinds. |
| Mar 14, 2007 | Big Rapids, MI | N3622S | Incident | substantial |
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff which led to the impact with the snow banks adjacent to the…The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff which led to the impact with the snow banks adjacent to the runway. The snow banks were contributing factors in the accident. |
| Jul 13, 2006 | Big Lake, AK | N5560T | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from a transmission line while performing a low altitude maneuver, which resulted in an in-flight c…The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from a transmission line while performing a low altitude maneuver, which resulted in an in-flight collision with the transmission line. |
| Apr 22, 2006 | Richmond, IN | N2985U | Incident | substantial | The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the landing. Factors were the crosswind and gusts. |
| Apr 19, 2006 | Wadena, MN | N5766T | Incident | substantial | The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions during the landing. Factors were the crosswinds, the gusts, and the ditch. |
| 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. |
| Sep 05, 2004 | Port Angeles, WA | N5788T | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's inadequate inflight decision by failing to refuel while en route, resulting in fuel exhaustion and the loss of power. Factors contributin…The pilot's inadequate inflight decision by failing to refuel while en route, resulting in fuel exhaustion and the loss of power. Factors contributing to the accident included the fence and the ditch. |
| Aug 22, 2004 | Decorah, IA | N5410T | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
The pilot's intentional operation of the airplane with a defective magneto, his failure to abort the takeoff due to degraded aircraft performance, and…The pilot's intentional operation of the airplane with a defective magneto, his failure to abort the takeoff due to degraded aircraft performance, and his failure to obtain or maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall/spin and subsequent impact with the ground. Contributing factors were the improper installation of the magneto's contact points by unknown entities due to undertorque of the mounting screws which led to the loss of engine power. |
| Jul 04, 2004 | La Junta, CO | N3581S | Incident | destroyed |
the student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and adequate airspeed during the go-around resulting in an inadvertent stall. Contributing to…the student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and adequate airspeed during the go-around resulting in an inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident was the low airspeed and altitude. |
| Mar 21, 2004 | Raymond, WA | N3950S | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll resulting in the aircraft nosing over. Incorrect remedial action and soft…The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll resulting in the aircraft nosing over. Incorrect remedial action and soft terrain were factors. |