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
Feb 13, 2023 San Francisco, GT N8203L Fatal (3) destroyed 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.

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.
Apr 16, 2010 Archer, FL N8112L Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed for undetermined reasons while maneuvering in the vicinity of an airport, which resulted in an aerod…

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed for undetermined reasons while maneuvering in the vicinity of an airport, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and hard landing.

Jun 01, 2009 Uddevalla, SW SE-GUP Fatal (1) destroyed Under the jurisdiction and control of the Swedish government.
Jan 03, 2007 Armstrong, TX N3940R Fatal (3) destroyed
The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather conditions resulting in a loss of control. Contributing factors were the dark night conditions, the…

The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather conditions resulting in a loss of control. Contributing factors were the dark night conditions, the clouds. low ceilings, and the pilot's limited night and instrument experience.

Aug 26, 2005 Corry, PA N3946R Fatal (1) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with terrain.
Jul 18, 2003 Isle, MN N1606F Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall. The trees, high density altitude, and the soft field were additional fac…

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall. The trees, high density altitude, and the soft field were additional factors.

Jun 06, 2002 Palmetto, FL N260WB Fatal (1) destroyed The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall while maneuvering after a banner release.
Feb 21, 2001 Centralia, IL N733SS Fatal (2) destroyed The student pilot allowed the airspeed to get too low and inadvertently stalled the airplane, and the CFI delayed in taking remedial action.
Aug 12, 2000 PEACHTREE CITY, GA N1749F Fatal (3) substantial
The pilot's improper use of takeoff checklist procedures, and his failure to maintain flying speed, which resulted in a stall and subsequent collision…

The pilot's improper use of takeoff checklist procedures, and his failure to maintain flying speed, which resulted in a stall and subsequent collision with the ground. Factors: A factor was the landing flaps were not retracted.

Jun 26, 2000 ANGEL FIRE, NM N2526L Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot's improper inflight decision to prematurely attempt a climb towards rising terrain before sufficient altitude had been attained that would a…

The pilot's improper inflight decision to prematurely attempt a climb towards rising terrain before sufficient altitude had been attained that would assure adequate obstacle clearance. Factors were high density altitude and trees.

Apr 14, 2000 GROTTOES, VA N1404F Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot's loss of control of the airplane in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. Factors included th…

The pilot's loss of control of the airplane in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. Factors included the pilot's lack of instrument time under actual conditions, and his lack of recent instrument flight experience.

Sep 16, 1999 PLATTSBURG, MO N1406F Fatal (3) destroyed the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the initial climb. A factor relating to this accident was the inadvertent stall/spin.
Aug 17, 1996 ST. PETERSBURG, FL N8016L Fatal (1) substantial An engine malfunction for undetermined reasons. A factor was the pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site.
Sep 29, 1995 ST. JOHNS, AZ N8034L Fatal (2) destroyed the pilot's failure to assure that the seat adjustment pin was properly engaged prior to takeoff.
Nov 13, 1994 LOUISVILLE, GA N8200L Fatal (2) destroyed THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM TREES DURING A LOW PASS MANEUVER. A FACTOR WAS THE TREES AT THE VICINITY OF THE LOW PASS.
Sep 12, 1993 LIBERTY, MS N3767R Fatal (1) destroyed
THE PILOT'S DELAYED GO-AROUND AND FAILURE TO RETRACT THE FLAPS IN A TIMELY MANNER. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S MISJUDG…

THE PILOT'S DELAYED GO-AROUND AND FAILURE TO RETRACT THE FLAPS IN A TIMELY MANNER. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S MISJUDGMENT OF DISTANCE AND SPEED WHICH RESULTED IN OVERSHOOTING THE APPROACH, AND THE EXISTENCE OF POWER LINES CROSSING DIRECTLY OVER THE RUNWAY. THE COMBINATION OF THE GO-AROUND FLIGHT PROFILE WITH FULL FLAPS EXTENDED AND THE LOCATION OF THE WIRES MOST LIKELY LED TO AN EVASIVE MANEUVER AND INADVERTENT STALL INTO THE WIRES.

Aug 02, 1992 GRAYLING, MI N8183L Fatal (3) destroyed THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL.
Apr 01, 1992 BROWNTOWN, WI N3884R Fatal (1) destroyed
SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ACCIDENT WERE THE SNOW CONDITIONS, A…

SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ACCIDENT WERE THE SNOW CONDITIONS, AN INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION BY BOTH THE STUDENT AND INSTRUCTOR, OVER CONFIDENCE IN PERSONAL ABILITY, INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION, VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC CONDITIONS, AND LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE ON BEHALF OF THE PILOT.

Aug 06, 1989 DANA POINT, CA N2667L Fatal (1) destroyed PILOT-IN-COMMANDS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHILE IN MANEUVERING FLIGHT.
Oct 16, 1987 INDIAN HEAD, MD N9WB Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Jun 16, 1985 HENDERSONVILLE, NC N3714R Fatal (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Dec 02, 1983 HERSHEY, PA N6246L Fatal (1) substantial Investigation pending
Sep 26, 1982 NORMALVILLE, PA N8285L Fatal (4) 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