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
Nov 13, 2014 Lake Pontchartrain, LA N46707 Fatal (2) destroyed The airplane's collision with water for reasons that could not be determined because the wreckage was not located.
Jul 21, 2014 Littlefield, AZ N84754 Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control when the airplane encountered high gusting wind while conducting low altitude flight in a narrow cany…

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control when the airplane encountered high gusting wind while conducting low altitude flight in a narrow canyon, which resulted in an inflight collision with terrain.

Dec 27, 2013 Fresno, CA N251JM Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees while on approach, which subsequently led to a loss of airplane control. Also causal was…

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees while on approach, which subsequently led to a loss of airplane control. Also causal was the pilot’s continued operation of the airplane at night with a diagnosed medical condition that degraded his night vision.

Jun 12, 2013 Newton, MS N7045G Fatal (1) substantial
The student pilot's failure to increase engine power during the descent for landing when instructed to do so by the flight instructor and the flight i…

The student pilot's failure to increase engine power during the descent for landing when instructed to do so by the flight instructor and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in collision with a static wire. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's failure to use hearing amplification as required by his Federal Aviation Administration medical certificate.

Nov 18, 2012 Savannah, GA N78304 Fatal (1) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while operating in night, instrument meteorological conditions, due to spatial disorientation.
Aug 04, 2008 Gearhart, OR N828CC Fatal (2) destroyed The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the initial climb after takeoff due to spatial disorientation.
Apr 11, 2008 Roseglen, ND N7490G Fatal (2) substantial
The pilot failed to maintain obstacle clearance from the TV antenna during a low altitude maneuver. Contributing factors were the antenna, the night …

The pilot failed to maintain obstacle clearance from the TV antenna during a low altitude maneuver. Contributing factors were the antenna, the night conditions, and pilot impairment due to alcohol.

Feb 02, 2007 Bessemer, AL N7109G Fatal (2) substantial The non-instrument-rated pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological 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 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.
Jul 31, 2002 Greeley, CO N7383G Fatal (1) destroyed
the student pilot's improper handling of the airplane's controls (for reason undetermined), and the inadequate supervision of the flight instructor. …

the student pilot's improper handling of the airplane's controls (for reason undetermined), and the inadequate supervision of the flight instructor. A contributing factor was the high density altitude weather condition.

Jan 05, 2002 Boulder, CO N78035 Fatal (1) destroyed
the pilot's intentional suicidal flight into terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's psychological depressive state, and his use of inappropri…

the pilot's intentional suicidal flight into terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's psychological depressive state, and his use of inappropriate medication.

Jan 13, 2001 Martinsville, IN N46628 Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilots decision not to fly to the alternate airport, his decision to continue the flight in known adverse weather conditions, spatial disorientati…

The pilots decision not to fly to the alternate airport, his decision to continue the flight in known adverse weather conditions, spatial disorientation by the pilot, and his failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors were the low ceilings, the dark night, the fog, and the trees.

May 08, 1999 SHIRLEY, NY N7068G Fatal (1) destroyed The pilot's loss of control of the airplane due to intoxication. A factor was the pilot's self-induced pressure to conduct the flight.
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
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
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.

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 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.

Oct 22, 1993 NORTH BEND, OR N79405 Fatal (1) destroyed LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE IN FLIGHT DUE TO PILOT INCAPACITATION FROM ATHEROSCLEROTIC HEART DISEASE.
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.

Oct 03, 1991 EVERGLADES CITY, FL N758JN Fatal (2) destroyed
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER MANAGEMENT OF FUEL. THIS RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCING FUEL EXHAUSTION, FORCED LANDING, AND IN FLIGHT COLLISIO…

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER MANAGEMENT OF FUEL. THIS RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCING FUEL EXHAUSTION, FORCED LANDING, AND IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.

Jun 03, 1990 TACOMA, WA N79931 Fatal (1) destroyed THE PILOT DID NOT ADEQUATELY MAINTAIN A PROPER GLIDE PATH FOR LANDING WHICH RESULTED IN AN INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH A TREE.
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