Cessna 172K Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 226 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.

226

All Events

133

Incidents

37

Minor

22

Serious

34

Fatal (62 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Jun 07, 2007 Amarillo, TX N7370G Incident substantial
The failure of the left main landing gear spring assembly as a result of an unapproved repair by an unknown person(s), which resulted in a loss of dir…

The failure of the left main landing gear spring assembly as a result of an unapproved repair by an unknown person(s), which resulted in a loss of directional control during the landing roll.

May 14, 2007 Emporia, VA N79941 Incident substantial
The failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll resulting in the on-ground collision with a d…

The failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll resulting in the on-ground collision with a ditch.

Mar 22, 2007 Cornelia, GA N46567 Incident substantial
The failure of the owner/operator to repair or replace a known leaking brake system components resulting in a total loss of brakes while taxing and an…

The failure of the owner/operator to repair or replace a known leaking brake system components resulting in a total loss of brakes while taxing and an on-ground collision with trees.

Mar 12, 2007 Paris, TN N46588 Minor substantial The pilot's improper fuel management resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Feb 02, 2007 Bessemer, AL N7109G Fatal (2) substantial The non-instrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions.
Jul 07, 2006 Sullivan, IL N7349G Minor substantial
The pilot's misjudged flare and his improper recovery from the bounced landing which led to a loss of directional control and subsequent collision wit…

The pilot's misjudged flare and his improper recovery from the bounced landing which led to a loss of directional control and subsequent collision with crops and the ground.

Oct 21, 2005 West Milford, NJ N46475 Incident substantial A loss of aircraft control as a result of the installation of an improper pilot seat which moved during the takeoff roll/run..
Mar 26, 2005 Chino, CA N7425G Incident minor the pilot of the other airplane's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from obstacles while taxiing.
Feb 26, 2005 Portage, WI N7325G Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the aborted landing, which resulted in an inadvertent stall at a low altitude. Factors to th…

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the aborted landing, which resulted in an inadvertent stall at a low altitude. Factors to the accident were the pilot's lack of experience flying from the right pilot station and his failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout.

Nov 29, 2004 Smyrna, TN N78402 Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning of fuel required for the flight, and his inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulted in fuel exhau…

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning of fuel required for the flight, and his inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power.

Oct 09, 2004 Knoxville, TN N78211 Serious (1) The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed on initial take off climb resulted in an inadvertent stall and an uncontrolled descent into the ground.
May 01, 2004 Harrisonville, MO N7448G Minor substantial
The dual student's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the landing flare. Contributing factors were the dual student's fai…

The dual student's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the landing flare. Contributing factors were the dual student's failure to relinquish the controls to the flight instructor, the resulting inability of the flight instructor to implement any remedial action, and the ditch.

Apr 10, 2004 Bogalusa, LA N84623 Incident substantial The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Feb 29, 2004 Angleton, TX N79502 Incident destroyed The unqualified person's failure to maintain clearance with the power lines. A contributing factor was the night light conditions.
Jan 20, 2004 Grass Valley, CA N99LR Fatal (2) destroyed
the pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions and failure to maintain an adequate terrain/object clearance altitude. …

the pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions and failure to maintain an adequate terrain/object clearance altitude. Also causal was the pilot's improper in-flight decision to return to the origin airport in the face of deteriorating weather conditions instead of diverting to a more suitable alternate.

Dec 23, 2003 Lake Charles, LA N111TK Incident substantial
The disintegration of the piston, which resulted in the catastrophic failure of the engine. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain fo…

The disintegration of the piston, which resulted in the catastrophic failure of the engine. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Dec 21, 2003 Grand Saline, TX N78189 Fatal (2) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while on final approach. Factors were the high winds and prevailing crosswind.
Nov 08, 2003 Kilbourne, OH N78203 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point which resulted in an overrun and subsequent nose over.
Sep 19, 2003 Ocean Springs, MS N79491 Incident substantial
The failure of the pilot to transfer fuel from the auxiliary fuel tank to the right main fuel tank in-flight resulting in total loss of engine power d…

The failure of the pilot to transfer fuel from the auxiliary fuel tank to the right main fuel tank in-flight resulting in total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

Jun 29, 2003 White Marsh, MD N5138G Minor substantial
The pilot's in-flight decision to not land and refuel, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. A factor in the accident was the pilot's inadequate communi…

The pilot's in-flight decision to not land and refuel, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. A factor in the accident was the pilot's inadequate communications.

Jun 22, 2003 Overton, NV N7342G Incident substantial
the student pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed and his premature raising of the flaps during a go-around, which led to an inadvertent st…

the student pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed and his premature raising of the flaps during a go-around, which led to an inadvertent stall/mush. The flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight is also causal.

Jun 08, 2003 Early, TX N78690 Incident substantial
The student pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in a loss of engine power while on approach to land, and subsequent off-air…

The student pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in a loss of engine power while on approach to land, and subsequent off-airport landing.

May 15, 2003 Bristol, TN N7412G Minor substantial
The pilot's improper use of the rudder controls during the takeoff roll resulting in a loss of directional control, and the on-ground collision with a…

The pilot's improper use of the rudder controls during the takeoff roll resulting in a loss of directional control, and the on-ground collision with an embankment.

Apr 27, 2003 Burnham, PA N758XB Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
Feb 18, 2003 Jacksonville, TX N678BC Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation for the flight which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A contribut…

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation for the flight which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

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