Cessna 172H Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 180 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Oct 24, 2008 | Kadena Air Base, Japan, JA | N4961 | Serious (1) | substantial | . |
| Jun 01, 2008 | Brockport, NY | N3910R | Serious (2) | substantial | A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the flight instructor's inadequate preflight planning. |
| Jul 01, 2006 | Ringgold, GA | N8084L | Serious (1) | substantial |
The pilot's improper fuel management resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation resulting in a forced landing, and collision wit…The pilot's improper fuel management resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation resulting in a forced landing, and collision with trees and the ground. |
| Jul 12, 2003 | Sullivan Lake, WA | N2805L | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot-in-command's downwind landing. A contributing factor was the tailwind condition. |
| Apr 12, 2003 | Holt, MO | N3831R | Serious (1) | substantial |
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor to the accident were…The pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor to the accident were the trees. |
| Dec 12, 2000 | SAN DIEGO, CA | N4959R | Serious (2) | substantial |
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and weather evaluation that resulted in the inadvertant entry into instrument meteorological conditions whil…The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and weather evaluation that resulted in the inadvertant entry into instrument meteorological conditions while conducting visual flight. A factor was fog and the night visual conditions. |
| Jun 08, 2000 | FOLEY, AL | N2849L | Serious (2) | substantial | The pilot exceeding the performance capability of the airplane during takeoff. A factor was the trees. |
| Jun 05, 1998 | MARIPOSA, CA | N2573L | Serious (2) | substantial |
Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight planning, and improper in-flight decision not to make a precautionary landing for additional f…Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight planning, and improper in-flight decision not to make a precautionary landing for additional fuel. |
| Jun 26, 1996 | JONESVILLE, SC | N3887R | Serious (1) | substantial |
the pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain altitude and/or clearance from the obstruction (power line) during low altitude flight. …the pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain altitude and/or clearance from the obstruction (power line) during low altitude flight. The lack of natural lighting at dusk was a related factor. |
| May 22, 1995 | SAN IGNACIO, NM | N2840L | Serious (2) | substantial | THE PILOT FLYING AT AN INADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO CLEAR SURROUNDING TERRAIN. FACTORS WERE: HIGH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE. |
| Jan 31, 1995 | MOUNTAIN VIEW, AR | N2610L | Serious (1) | substantial |
THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF A DOWNWIND RUNWAY FOR TAKEOFF, HIS FAILURE TO USE ALL AVAILABLE RUNWAY, AND DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF. A FACTOR WAS THE T…THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF A DOWNWIND RUNWAY FOR TAKEOFF, HIS FAILURE TO USE ALL AVAILABLE RUNWAY, AND DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF. A FACTOR WAS THE TAILWIND. |
| Jan 09, 1994 | PERRY, GA | N1432F | Serious (1) | substantial |
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT INSPECTION, IN THAT HE DID NOT REMOVE THE FLIGHT CONTROL GUST LOCK PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT. A FACTOR WAS THE USE…THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT INSPECTION, IN THAT HE DID NOT REMOVE THE FLIGHT CONTROL GUST LOCK PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT. A FACTOR WAS THE USE OF AN UNAPPROVED, UNMARKED RIVET AS A FLIGHT CONTROL LOCK. |
| Apr 16, 1991 | COEUR D'ALENE, ID | CFBET | Serious (1) | substantial |
THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF HIS AIRCRAFT'S CLIMB CAPABILITY WHEN FLYING TOWARDS RISING TERRAIN. FACTORS INCLUDE HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE GEOG…THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF HIS AIRCRAFT'S CLIMB CAPABILITY WHEN FLYING TOWARDS RISING TERRAIN. FACTORS INCLUDE HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA. |
| Oct 21, 1989 | DEL NORTE, CO | N1639F | Serious (2) | substantial | THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING CLIMB RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. |
| Mar 21, 1989 | MELBOURNE, FL | N1480F | Serious (1) | substantial | THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF AN INAPPROPRIATE RUNWAY FOR TAKEOFF AND HIS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR CROSSWIND CONDITIONS. |
| Jul 11, 1986 | KISSIMMEE, FL | N1448F | Serious (1) | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Mar 13, 1986 | WILLIAMS, MN | N3706R | Serious (1) | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Aug 08, 1984 | ELLIJAY, GA | N3272L | Serious (2) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| May 13, 1984 | MANY, LA | N2434L | Serious (1) | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Apr 01, 1984 | HAGERSTOWN, MD | N2477L | Serious (1) | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Apr 04, 1983 | LIBERTY CORNER, NJ | N2574L | Serious (1) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Nov 27, 1982 | MOUNT ALTON, PA | N9511H | Serious (1) | substantial | Investigation pending |