Cessna 172H Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 180 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 28, 2025 | Goliad, TX | N8078L | Incident | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Jul 09, 2025 | Century, FL | N3254C | Incident | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Jun 29, 2025 | Manokotak, AK | N8085L | Incident | substantial |
The pilot’s decision to land on an unsuitable landing surface with a tailwind, which resulted in a nose over. Contributing was the pilot’s failure to …The pilot’s decision to land on an unsuitable landing surface with a tailwind, which resulted in a nose over. Contributing was the pilot’s failure to recognize the wind direction, resulting in a tailwind landing. |
| May 01, 2024 | Belle Chasse, LA | N2782L | Incident | substantial | The inadequate landing flare by the flight instructor that resulted in a loss of directional control and impact with terrain. |
| Aug 19, 2023 | Santa Rosa, CA | N3282L | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s inadequate fuel management which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. |
| May 19, 2023 | Seattle, WA | N2550L | Minor | substantial | A stuck exhaust valve that resulted in a partial loss of engine power and a forced water ditching. |
| Apr 11, 2023 | Charles Town, WV | N2554L | Incident | substantial | A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. |
| Feb 13, 2023 | San Francisco, GT | N8203L | Fatal (3) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Feb 12, 2023 | Crosby, TX | N3238L | Serious (1) | substantial |
The pilot’s delayed soft-field takeoff procedure, which prevented the pilot from achieving adequate airspeed and a proper climb rate resulting in a co…The pilot’s delayed soft-field takeoff procedure, which prevented the pilot from achieving adequate airspeed and a proper climb rate resulting in a collision with a moving train. |
| Aug 11, 2022 | Assens, DA | OY-AHY | Incident | — | Investigation pending |
| May 14, 2022 | Miami, FL | N8845Z | Fatal (1) | substantial |
A total loss of engine power due to carburetor ice as a result of the pilot’s failure to effectively use carburetor heat in conditions conducive to th…A total loss of engine power due to carburetor ice as a result of the pilot’s failure to effectively use carburetor heat in conditions conducive to the formation of carburetor ice. |
| Apr 10, 2022 | Chugiak, AK | N8020L | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and nose over. |
| Jan 09, 2022 | Los Angeles, CA | N8056L | Serious (1) | substantial |
The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection during which he failed to remove all water contamination in the fuel system, which resulted in a total los…The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection during which he failed to remove all water contamination in the fuel system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power on takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the condition of the fuel caps, which allowed the water to enter the fuel system. |
| Dec 29, 2020 | Cypress, TX | N3702R | Incident | substantial | A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. |
| Jan 06, 2020 | El Monte, CA | N1658F | Incident | substantial | The inflight separation of a section of a propeller blade due to a fatigue crack which resulted in a forced landing. |
| Jun 06, 2015 | Cottonwood Falls, KS | N2536L | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to attain adequate airspeed to climb the airplane out of ground effect, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a collision wit…The pilot's failure to attain adequate airspeed to climb the airplane out of ground effect, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a collision with terrain. |
| Jul 08, 2014 | Baytown, TX | N3732R | Serious (3) | substantial | The pilot’s failure to verify the fuel onboard before the flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. |
| Aug 14, 2013 | Metaline Falls, WA | N8160L | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a windsock pole while taxiing. |
| Oct 20, 2012 | Weyers Cave, VA | N1431F | Incident | substantial | The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. |
| Sep 09, 2012 | Phillipsburg, OH | N2484L | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. |
| Jun 10, 2012 | Moscow Mills, MO | N3736R | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff in a gusty crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion. |
| Feb 15, 2011 | Wikieup, AZ | N2561L | Incident | substantial |
A total loss of engine power during cruise flight resulting from the failure of a fuel line. Contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance i…A total loss of engine power during cruise flight resulting from the failure of a fuel line. Contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance inspections that failed to detect the deteriorating fuel line. |
| Feb 14, 2011 | Plattsburgh, NY | N2593L | Incident | substantial |
The student pilot's loss of directional control during the landing flare in gusting wind conditions and the certified flight instructor's delayed reme…The student pilot's loss of directional control during the landing flare in gusting wind conditions and the certified flight instructor's delayed remedial action. |
| Jan 04, 2011 | Walnut Grove, MO | N1416F | Fatal (1) | substantial | The pilot's loss of control for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's fatigue. |
| Jun 05, 2010 | Bountiful, UT | N3948R | Minor | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Contributing to the accident was the high density altitude. |