Cessna 172G Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 141 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

141

All Events

79

Incidents

27

Minor

17

Serious

18

Fatal (37 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Sep 19, 1999 DELTA, CO N4262L Incident substantial
A forced landing due to fuel exhaustion. Factors were inadequate preflight planing, inadequate in-flight planing and rough uneven, unsuitable terrain…

A forced landing due to fuel exhaustion. Factors were inadequate preflight planing, inadequate in-flight planing and rough uneven, unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.

Aug 13, 1999 GLENARM, IL N4425L Incident substantial
the pilot's selection of the wrong runway for the prevailing winds. Factors were the pilot's misunderstanding of the wind information and the tailwin…

the pilot's selection of the wrong runway for the prevailing winds. Factors were the pilot's misunderstanding of the wind information and the tailwind.

Jul 23, 1999 DOVER, DE N6017R Incident destroyed
The student pilot's failure to execute a go-around. Factors include excessive airspeed on the final approach, and the student pilot's attempt to land…

The student pilot's failure to execute a go-around. Factors include excessive airspeed on the final approach, and the student pilot's attempt to land beyond a safe touchdown point.

Jun 28, 1999 UNION, IN N5869R Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the sign. Factors associated with the accident were the low ceilings and the sign which was contacted.
Oct 23, 1998 VANCOUVER, WA N3765L Incident substantial Refueling was not preformed which subsequently led to fuel exhaustion. Factors include the student pilot's inadequate preflight planing/preparation.
Aug 15, 1998 WILLIAMSON, NY N1308F Incident substantial Directional control not maintained by one of the pilot's on board the airplane.
Nov 02, 1997 ELK CITY, OK N5745R Incident substantial The high winds and the pilot's poor judgment in attempting to taxi in the existing wind conditions.
Oct 17, 1997 PANACEA, FL N4690L Incident substantial
The pilot's improper use of carburetor heat resulting in loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and an in flight collision with trees during a f…

The pilot's improper use of carburetor heat resulting in loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and an in flight collision with trees during a forced landing.

Nov 27, 1996 CHINO, CA N5854R Incident destroyed
the pilot's attempt to taxi with a crosswind component well in excess of the aircraft's maximum factory demonstrated capability. The wind conditions …

the pilot's attempt to taxi with a crosswind component well in excess of the aircraft's maximum factory demonstrated capability. The wind conditions were factors.

Feb 09, 1996 GUNNISON, CO N4262L Incident substantial Loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a related factor.
Oct 16, 1995 WILKES-BARRE, PA N3773L Incident substantial
the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. Contributing factors were the instructor's inexperience and the student pilot's failure to mai…

the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. Contributing factors were the instructor's inexperience and the student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control.

May 18, 1995 SANFORD, FL N3722L Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a forced landing resulting in an inadvertent stall and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain. Co…

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a forced landing resulting in an inadvertent stall and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was a total loss of engine power while descending due to fuel exhaustion, and the pilot's inaccurate fuel calculations for the flight.

Apr 25, 1995 AUGUSTA, ME N3799L Incident substantial THE STUDENT PILOT'S DELAY IN ABORTING THE LANDING ATTEMPT. THE CROSSWIND, AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE CROSSWIND WERE FACTORS.
Jan 10, 1995 SALT LAKE CITY, UT N3708L Incident substantial THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS DURING RUNUP. THE UNFAVORABLE WIND WAS A FACTOR.
Sep 06, 1993 AVALON, CA N4143L Incident destroyed
the oil starvation related failure of the number 1 and 2 connecting rods due to improper torque of the crankcase through bolts at the number 2 cylinde…

the oil starvation related failure of the number 1 and 2 connecting rods due to improper torque of the crankcase through bolts at the number 2 cylinder, which allowed fretting of the bearing surfaces and the resulting closure of the oil ports. The under torque condition was due to improper installation procedures used by the aircraft owner, and, the inadequate inspection procedures utilized by the certifying repair station.

Jun 29, 1993 FORT WORTH, TX N3987L Incident substantial THE POWER LOSS FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. FACTORS WERE THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING AND THE INADVERTENT STALL.
Jul 03, 1992 TONOPAH, NV N4417L Incident substantial
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY IDENTIFY AND COMPENSATE FOR THE EXISTING TAILWIND CONDITIONS, AND, HIS FAILURE TO INITIATE A GO AROUND WHEN HE …

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY IDENTIFY AND COMPENSATE FOR THE EXISTING TAILWIND CONDITIONS, AND, HIS FAILURE TO INITIATE A GO AROUND WHEN HE BECAME AWARE OF BEING HIGH WITH A FAST GROUND SPEED.

Mar 15, 1992 BILLINGS, MT N4615L Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR WAS THE CROSSWIND.
Sep 13, 1991 SUMMERTON, SC N4184L Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS AT THE AIRSTRIP. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE QUARTERING TAILWIND AND THE WET FIELD CO…

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS AT THE AIRSTRIP. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE QUARTERING TAILWIND AND THE WET FIELD CONDITIONS AT THE AIRSTRIP.

Aug 18, 1991 HILO, HI N5921R Incident substantial FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE INSTALLATION OF A NON STANDARD PROPELLER FOR WHICH NO PERFORMANCE CHARTS WERE AVAILABLE.
Aug 01, 1991 FREDERICKSBURG, VA N6002R Incident substantial THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF THE IMPROPER FUEL TANK. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT DID NOT USE THE CHECK LIST.
Mar 02, 1991 RENO, NV N4417L Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/PREPARATION DECISION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE HIGH WIND CONDITION AND THE PILOT IN COMMANDS INABILITY T…

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/PREPARATION DECISION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE HIGH WIND CONDITION AND THE PILOT IN COMMANDS INABILITY TO COMPENSATE FOR THE WIND CONDITION.

Jan 05, 1991 WASILLA, AK N4468L Incident substantial
PILOT'S NOT REMOVING THE FROST FROM THE AIRPLANE BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S DELAYED ABORT, AND THE BER…

PILOT'S NOT REMOVING THE FROST FROM THE AIRPLANE BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S DELAYED ABORT, AND THE BERM.

Oct 27, 1990 ANACORTES, WA N4174L Incident substantial THE PILOT POORLY COMPENSATED FOR THE WIND CONDITION.
Aug 29, 1990 BLOOMINGTON, IN N4182L Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE CROSSWIND WAS A FACTOR.
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.
← Cessna 172G For Sale All Cessna Models
Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data
View 15 Cessna 172G for sale ↓