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
Apr 14, 1999 LAKELAND, FL N833G Minor destroyed
Failure of the pilot of the other aircraft to maintain a visual lookout and visual separation while on approach for landing. This resulted in a midair…

Failure of the pilot of the other aircraft to maintain a visual lookout and visual separation while on approach for landing. This resulted in a midair collision with another airplane and subsequent in-flight collision with the runway.

Feb 14, 1999 MARATHON, FL N75RR Incident substantial
The pilot's improper use of elevator control while landing in gusty winds resulting in the aircraft nosing down and the propeller and wing contacting …

The pilot's improper use of elevator control while landing in gusty winds resulting in the aircraft nosing down and the propeller and wing contacting the runway.

Oct 26, 1998 DILLON, MT N736VR Incident substantial The student pilot-in-command's failure to maintain directional control. Contributing factors were rough terrain and crosswind conditions.
Oct 02, 1998 MIDDLEFIELD, OH N78624 Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
Jul 18, 1998 CHATEAUGAY, NY N155AA Serious (1) destroyed Binding in the control yoke for undetermined reasons.
Jun 10, 1998 OMAHA, NE N758FY Incident substantial
The aircraft modification not being in compliance with the Supplemental Type Certificate. A factor to the accident was the fracture of the landing ge…

The aircraft modification not being in compliance with the Supplemental Type Certificate. A factor to the accident was the fracture of the landing gear axle during landing.

Mar 01, 1998 MARIETTA, OK N84561 Serious (2) substantial The pilot's improper compensation for the wind conditions. A factor was the crosswind.
Feb 02, 1998 BOXBOROUGH, MA N79588 Fatal (1) destroyed The failure of the pilot to remove the frost on the wings before departure, which resulted in a stall
Feb 01, 1998 OXFORD, MA N78222 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control.
Sep 26, 1997 SANDY VALLEY, NV N84621 Fatal (1) destroyed
the pilot's intentional VFR flight into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from mountainous/hill…

the pilot's intentional VFR flight into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from mountainous/hilly terrain. Related factors were: the high/mountainous/hilly terrain, and the adverse weather condition (low ceiling).

Jul 28, 1997 NORMANS CAY, BF N84653 Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Apr 06, 1997 OLATHE, KS N46311 Minor substantial
the pilot's improper inflight planning/decision and exceeding the airplane recommended crosswind component. Factors associated with this accident wer…

the pilot's improper inflight planning/decision and exceeding the airplane recommended crosswind component. Factors associated with this accident were the weather conditions of a high wind, gusts, and a crosswind.

Mar 28, 1997 GLENWOOD SPGS, CO N7273G Incident destroyed The pilot's failure to maintain airplane directional control, and his use of excessive rudder control.
Mar 25, 1997 TELLURIDE, CO N686JF Minor substantial The pilot's misjudged landing flare and his improper bounced landing recovery technique. A factor was the snow bank.
Sep 28, 1996 DEAL, NJ N84593 Incident substantial the pilot's improper decision/planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent forced landing.
Aug 03, 1996 NIKISKI, AK N78108 Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor was the windshear.
Jul 22, 1996 WEST MILFORD, NJ N46700 Incident substantial the pilot's failure in attaining the proper touchdown point, and his delay in initiating a go-around (aborted landing).
May 14, 1996 ENGLEWOOD, FL N7284G Incident substantial Failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain visual lookout while taxiing to takeoff resulting in an on-ground collision with a tree.
May 08, 1996 LEADVILLE, CO N79212 Incident substantial
the pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the wind conditions and to maintain directional control. Factors were: the gusting cross wind and th…

the pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the wind conditions and to maintain directional control. Factors were: the gusting cross wind and the pilot's lack of total experience in make and model of aircraft.

Apr 10, 1996 LEBANON, TN N7479G Incident substantial the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Apr 03, 1996 DANVILLE, AR N84262 Incident substantial the student pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind. Factors were the crosswind and the soft terrain.
Mar 09, 1996 ASHEVILLE, NC N79058 Incident substantial failure of the brake on the right main landing gear as a result of water (ice) in the brake fluid, which resulted in a loss of braking control.
Feb 11, 1996 HEDLEY, TX N7358G Incident substantial the failure of maintenance personnel to properly torque the connecting rod bolts. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Jan 06, 1996 PARK CITY, MT N172NS Incident substantial Inadequate visual lookout by the pilot, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from the transmission line.
Dec 17, 1995 OWYHEE, OR N143JP Incident substantial the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. The soft terrain and high vegetation were related factors.
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