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
Dec 01, 1995 LOVINGSTON, VA N84460 Incident substantial
the pilot's improper planning/decision during the approach/landing phase of flight. Related factors were: the pilot's selection of the wrong runway, …

the pilot's improper planning/decision during the approach/landing phase of flight. Related factors were: the pilot's selection of the wrong runway, and the gusty tailwind conditions.

Feb 13, 1995 WRIGHTSVILLE, GA N79157 Serious (1) substantial THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHILE MANEUVERING IN A TURN. THE LOW ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF THE STALL WAS A FACTOR.
Nov 15, 1994 SPRINGERVILLE, AZ N7178G Fatal (3) destroyed
the pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. The pilot's diverted attention and overconfidence i…

the pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. The pilot's diverted attention and overconfidence in the aircraft's ability to fly slow were factors in this accident.

Sep 17, 1994 RUSSELLVILLE, AR N79897 Minor substantial THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE CROSSWIND DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL. A FACTOR WAS THE CROSSWIND.
Aug 26, 1994 LARAMIE, WY N79444 Fatal (2) destroyed THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM TERRAIN. DOWNDRAFT WIND ON THE LEE SIDE OF THE RIDGELINE WAS A FACTOR.
Jul 30, 1994 ROCKFORD, MI N84514 Minor substantial the student pilot's failure to refuel the airplane prior to fuel exhaustion.
Jul 18, 1994 PATOS ISLAND, WA N7417G Fatal (1) substantial
THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT OF JUDGMENT AND PERFORMANCE DUE TO DRUGS (MARIJUANA), AND HIS IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO MAIN…

THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT OF JUDGMENT AND PERFORMANCE DUE TO DRUGS (MARIJUANA), AND HIS IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE FROM TREES, WHILE TAKING OFF TOWARD THE CLOSED END OF A COVE.

Apr 20, 1994 HOWES, SD N46474 Incident substantial THE DIVERTED ATTENTION OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE.
Apr 17, 1994 SPARTANBURG, SC N711GT Incident substantial The inadequate visual lookout by the pilot of Cessna 172K, N711GT.
Mar 10, 1994 DAYTON, OH N79136 Incident substantial
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control which resulted in a runway overrun. Factors are the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced land…

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control which resulted in a runway overrun. Factors are the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and his lack of experience.

Feb 16, 1994 CULEBRA, PR N79401 Serious (1) substantial
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND(CFI) TO INITIATE A GO-AROUND AFTER ENCOUNTERING SEVERE TURBULENCE DURING LANDING FLARE AND HIS DECISION TO RAISE T…

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND(CFI) TO INITIATE A GO-AROUND AFTER ENCOUNTERING SEVERE TURBULENCE DURING LANDING FLARE AND HIS DECISION TO RAISE THE FLAPS AND REDUCE ENGINE POWER TO IDLE AFTER DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST RESULTING IN THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDING WITH A HOUSE.

Feb 12, 1994 NEW CUYAMA, CA N7333G Minor substantial the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft.
Oct 22, 1993 NORTH BEND, OR N79405 Fatal (1) destroyed LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE IN FLIGHT DUE TO PILOT INCAPACITATION FROM ATHEROSCLEROTIC HEART DISEASE.
Oct 16, 1993 JACKSONVILLE, TX N7825T Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES TO TROUBLESHOOT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. A FACTOR WAS AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IRREGULARITY OF AN …

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES TO TROUBLESHOOT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. A FACTOR WAS AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IRREGULARITY OF AN UNDETERMINED NATURE.

Jul 05, 1993 TORRANCE, CA N79034 Serious (1) substantial AN ENCOUNTER WITH A WINDSHEAR CONDITION. THE DELAYED BANNER JETTISON WAS A FACTOR.
May 17, 1993 ROHN ROADHOUSE, AK N736BY Incident substantial
THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS AND ALLOWING THE AIRSPEED TO GO BELOW STALLING SPEED IN THE LANDING CONFIGURATI…

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS AND ALLOWING THE AIRSPEED TO GO BELOW STALLING SPEED IN THE LANDING CONFIGURATION.

Apr 14, 1993 PONY, MT N79505 Incident destroyed
THE IMPROPER PREFLT PLANNING BY THE PIC AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN TAKEOFF AIRSPEED DURING GROUND ROLL ON A SOFT SNOW COVERED AIRSTRIP. A FACTOR RELAT…

THE IMPROPER PREFLT PLANNING BY THE PIC AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN TAKEOFF AIRSPEED DURING GROUND ROLL ON A SOFT SNOW COVERED AIRSTRIP. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT SNOW ON THE AIRSTRIP.

Mar 29, 1993 FRESNO, CA N758XY Minor substantial
the improper installation of an electrical wire bundle, and, the chaffing and subsequent arcing of the wires against a fuel line which resulted in a f…

the improper installation of an electrical wire bundle, and, the chaffing and subsequent arcing of the wires against a fuel line which resulted in a fire.

Mar 08, 1993 OGDEN, UT N1628C Incident substantial
THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE SOFT TERRAIN, EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED, AND CROSSW…

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE SOFT TERRAIN, EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED, AND CROSSWINDS.

Feb 25, 1993 JACKSON, MI N46460 Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.
Feb 09, 1993 PLYMOUTH, FL N79563 Incident substantial
UNDETECTED DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR BRAKE LINE WHICH DEVELOPED A LEAK AND RESULTED IN FAILURE OF THE BRAKE. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRE…

UNDETECTED DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR BRAKE LINE WHICH DEVELOPED A LEAK AND RESULTED IN FAILURE OF THE BRAKE. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, OR STOP THE AIRCRAFT, PRIOR TO COLLIDING WITH AIRCRAFT PARKED TO THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.

Feb 07, 1993 GORMAN, CA N79411 Fatal (4) destroyed THE PILOT'S CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND CONTINUED VISUAL FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
Aug 02, 1992 ROCKLEDGE, FL N1196M Fatal (4) destroyed
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING THE FINAL APPROACH RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE P…

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING THE FINAL APPROACH RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OPERATION, LACK OF EXPERIENCE AT THE AIRPORT IN THE TYPE OPERATION.

Jul 19, 1992 PIQUA, OH N78483 Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.
Jul 05, 1992 AGUA CALIENTE, CA N78669 Minor substantial
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE APPROACH AIRSPEED AND AN INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH CONDITION WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH THE GROU…

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE APPROACH AIRSPEED AND AN INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH CONDITION WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH THE GROUND SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOTS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF AIRCRAFT.

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