Cessna 172H Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 180 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

180

All Events

97

Incidents

30

Minor

28

Serious

25

Fatal (43 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Aug 24, 1996 DURANGO, CO N3782F Incident substantial the pilot's improper flaring of the airplane at too high an altitude, resulting in a hard landing.
Jul 13, 1996 Hickory, NC N1637F Incident substantial Engine stoppage for undetermined reasons. A factor was the terrain furrows.
Jul 08, 1996 CHERRY TREE, PA N1412F Incident substantial the pilot's failure to assure that adequate takeoff distance was available to clear an obstacle.
Jun 30, 1996 PIERCE, CO N1686F Incident substantial a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the unsuitable terrain.
Jun 15, 1996 CROCKETT, TX N8824Z Incident substantial Loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s).
Oct 28, 1995 BORREGO SPRINGS, CA N2552L Incident substantial
the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which failed to detect a bird's nest in the air induction system. Factors in the accident were carburetor…

the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which failed to detect a bird's nest in the air induction system. Factors in the accident were carburetor icing conditions and the pilot's improper use of carburetor heat.

Aug 12, 1995 MANTEO, NC N3254C Incident substantial The pilot's improper in-flight decision to touchdown at the mid-field point of the runway.
Apr 16, 1995 HATTIESBURG, MS N3835R Incident substantial
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT DURING DESCENT, RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CARBURETOR ICING, AND SUBSEQUE…

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT DURING DESCENT, RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CARBURETOR ICING, AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING TO UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

Mar 16, 1995 ATKINSON, NE N8078L Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR THE GUSTY CROSSWIND. THE WIND WAS A FACTOR.
Oct 09, 1994 MORO, AR N8181L Incident destroyed ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS.
Nov 06, 1993 HALF MOON BAY, CA N2718L Incident substantial
IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT OF THE SECOND STEARMAN, AND HIS SELECTION OF THE WRONG RUNWAY ON WHICH TO LAND. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDE…

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT OF THE SECOND STEARMAN, AND HIS SELECTION OF THE WRONG RUNWAY ON WHICH TO LAND. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: FAILURE OF THE STEARMAN PILOTS TO OBTAIN PERTINENT NOTAM INFORMATION.

Sep 02, 1992 NEW BRAINTREE, MA N2458L Incident substantial WATER CONTAMINATED FUEL WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION.
Aug 25, 1992 NEW CUMBERLAND, WV N1109F Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER TAKEOFF PROCEDURES AND HIS LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF AIRPLANE PERFORMANCE WHICH RESULTED IN AN ABORTED TAKEOFF WITH INSUFFICIENT R…

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER TAKEOFF PROCEDURES AND HIS LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF AIRPLANE PERFORMANCE WHICH RESULTED IN AN ABORTED TAKEOFF WITH INSUFFICIENT RUNWAY TO STOP AND THE SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH A FENCE. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE; THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, AND HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL AIRPLANE.

Aug 09, 1992 LAKEVIEW, OR N8100L Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FACTORS INCLUDE SOFT TERRAIN.
Jul 26, 1992 CHENOA, IL N8262L Incident substantial
INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION ON THE PART OF THE PILOT. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ACCIDENT WERE A LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE IN THE …

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION ON THE PART OF THE PILOT. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ACCIDENT WERE A LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF OPERATION THE PILOT WAS UNDERTAKING, A PROPER CLIMB RATE NOT OBTAINED BY THE PILOT AND REMEDIAL ACTION NOT PERFORMED BY THE PILOT.

Jun 27, 1992 HUNTSVILLE, AL N8198L Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS AT THE AIRSTRIP, AND THE EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED ON FINAL APPROACH. A FACTOR WAS THE PREVAILING…

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS AT THE AIRSTRIP, AND THE EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED ON FINAL APPROACH. A FACTOR WAS THE PREVAILING TAILWIND AT THE AIRSTRIP.

Jan 08, 1992 ARCATA, CA N1608F Incident substantial CARBURETOR ICING AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT.
Nov 15, 1991 VIRGIN GORDA, VG N2824L Incident substantial Investigation pending
Oct 23, 1990 BUENA VISTA, CO N2665L Incident substantial THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO FLARE PROPERLY DURING LANDING. THE PILOT'S TOTAL LACK OF EXPERIENCE IS A FACTOR.
May 03, 1990 SAN ANGELO, TX N3941R Incident substantial THE STUDENT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING TAKEOFF IN VARIABLE WIND CONDITIONS.
Mar 18, 1990 ANDOVER, NJ N8213L Incident substantial THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AFTER ENCOUNTER WITH TURBULENCE DURING LANDING.
Oct 14, 1989 BAY CITY, MI N1407F Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO EXECUTE A GO-AROUND IN A TIMELY MANNER.
Sep 01, 1989 SPARREVOHN, AK N2459L Incident substantial THE BUCKET WHICH WAS BLOWN INTO THE FLIGHT PATH BY A CROSSWIND.
Aug 15, 1989 LAKE VILLAGE, IN N2484L Incident substantial
WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL/FUEL SYSTEM AND INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT. SOFT TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTO…

WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL/FUEL SYSTEM AND INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT. SOFT TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

Oct 06, 1987 ONEONTA, NY N1677F Incident destroyed Investigation pending
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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Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data