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
Mar 07, 1993 JACKSON, GA N5972R Fatal (3) substantial
The pilots inadequate preflight planning and his failure to properly compensate for the wind. A factor was the unfavorable wind condition at the time …

The pilots inadequate preflight planning and his failure to properly compensate for the wind. A factor was the unfavorable wind condition at the time of take off.

Nov 15, 1992 WILLIAMS, AZ N6060R Serious (2) substantial
THE PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A STUCK EXHAUST VALVE ON THE NUMBER TWO CYLINDER AND THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO CLIMB THE AIRCRAFT ABOVE THE TRE…

THE PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A STUCK EXHAUST VALVE ON THE NUMBER TWO CYLINDER AND THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO CLIMB THE AIRCRAFT ABOVE THE TREES SURROUNDING THE AIRPORT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE EFFECTS OF THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE ON THE AIRCRAFT CLIMB PERFORMANCE.

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.
Jan 13, 1992 ATLANTIC OCEAN, AO N121L Fatal (1) substantial LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS.
Jan 11, 1992 MILLEN, GA N5866R Minor substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY USE CARBURETOR HEAT DURING ICING CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF E…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY USE CARBURETOR HEAT DURING ICING CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

Oct 06, 1991 MILTONFREEWATER, OR N1372F Fatal (4) destroyed
INADEQUATE IN-FLIGHT PLANNING. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, CLEARANCE NOT MAINTAINED, LACK OF TOTAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, AND LAC…

INADEQUATE IN-FLIGHT PLANNING. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, CLEARANCE NOT MAINTAINED, LACK OF TOTAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, AND LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH GEOGRAPHICAL AREA.

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.
Apr 10, 1991 GRIFFITH, IN N1375F Serious (1) substantial CONTAMINATED FUEL IN THE CARBURETOR, AND INADEQUATE INSPECTION/MAINTENANCE OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.
Apr 09, 1991 NEW BEDFORD, MA N6005R Fatal (2) destroyed
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE AFTER ENCOUNTERING ADVERSE WEATHER AT LOW ALTITUDE. THE ADVERSE WEATHE…

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE AFTER ENCOUNTERING ADVERSE WEATHER AT LOW ALTITUDE. THE ADVERSE WEATHER (FOG) WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

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.

Dec 12, 1990 JACKSONVILLE, FL N5780R Serious (2) destroyed FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL AFTER INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.
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.
Aug 04, 1990 TRINITY CENTER, CA N4205L Incident substantial THE PILOT'S EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED AND HIS FAILURE TO TOUCHDOWN AT THE PROPER LOCATION ON THE RUNWAY.
Mar 21, 1990 GULF SHORES, AL N4373L Minor substantial FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO OBTAIN PROPER ASSISTANCE OR PROPERLY SECURE THE AIRCRAFT WHEN HE LEFT IT UNATTENDED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING.
Mar 17, 1990 RIO HONDO, TX N4696L Incident substantial
OIL STARVATION INDUCED POWER LOSS DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION AND THE …

OIL STARVATION INDUCED POWER LOSS DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION AND THE SOFT TERRAIN IN WHICH THE FORCED LANDING WAS PERFORMED.

Mar 03, 1990 WANCHESE, NC N3663L Incident substantial THE PILOT'S PREMATURE, DISCONTINUED USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT.
Dec 09, 1989 UXBRIDGE, MA N4289L Serious (2) destroyed
ICE IN THE FUEL STRAINER, WHICH RESTRICTED FUEL FLOW & RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION, AND THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE AIRPLANE, WHEN HE ABRUPTLY…

ICE IN THE FUEL STRAINER, WHICH RESTRICTED FUEL FLOW & RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION, AND THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE AIRPLANE, WHEN HE ABRUPTLY MANEUVERED IT TO AVOID A TRANSMISSION WIRE DURING A FORCED LANDING.

Dec 02, 1989 SAVOY, IL N3783L Incident substantial
IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS INABILITY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: …

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS INABILITY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE ADVERSE WIND CONDITION.

Aug 05, 1989 MCKINNEY, TX N4377L Incident substantial TOTAL FAILURE OF THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY/ROCKER ARM/TAPPET SHAFT.
Jul 20, 1989 RIDGELAND, SC N4254L Fatal (3) destroyed
IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND (PIC), WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL DURING TAKEOFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE…

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND (PIC), WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL DURING TAKEOFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE EXCESSIVE GROSS WEIGHT AND IMPROPER LIFT-OFF BY THE PIC, THE PILOT/PASSENGER'S IMPROPER CREW COORDINATION REGARDING THE SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS THAT HE RECEIVED CONCERNING THE PAYLOAD LIMITATIONS, AND THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

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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