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
Jan 23, 2025 Columbia, CA N79910 Serious (2) substantial Investigation pending
Oct 19, 2014 Xenia, OH N79534 Serious (1) substantial
The failure of the seat track mechanism, which led the pilot to inadvertently apply aft yoke and lift his feet off the rudder pedals and resulted in a…

The failure of the seat track mechanism, which led the pilot to inadvertently apply aft yoke and lift his feet off the rudder pedals and resulted in a loss of directional control during takeoff.

Nov 15, 2010 San Antonio, TX N7183G Serious (3) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to lan…

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to land with a tailwind.

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.

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.
Aug 01, 2002 Patuxent River, MD N1177M Serious (1) substantial The pilot's inadequate fuel calculations, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent loss of engine power.
May 24, 2002 Lake Thomas A., CA N79944 Serious (1) substantial
a partial loss of engine power due to the partial malfunction of the left magneto and leakage of the ignition leads for that magneto, due to inadequat…

a partial loss of engine power due to the partial malfunction of the left magneto and leakage of the ignition leads for that magneto, due to inadequate maintenance inspections. Factors in the accident include the high density altitude, the maintenance personnel's failure to accomplish a service bulletin, and the effects of the pilot's manipulation of the mixture and carburetor heat controls.

Jul 18, 1998 CHATEAUGAY, NY N155AA Serious (1) destroyed Binding in the control yoke for undetermined reasons.
Mar 01, 1998 MARIETTA, OK N84561 Serious (2) substantial The pilot's improper compensation for the wind conditions. A factor was the crosswind.
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.
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.

Jul 05, 1993 TORRANCE, CA N79034 Serious (1) substantial AN ENCOUNTER WITH A WINDSHEAR CONDITION. THE DELAYED BANNER JETTISON WAS A FACTOR.
Sep 08, 1991 BULLHEAD CITY, AZ N7031G Serious (2) destroyed
1) A SHORT CIRCUIT, 2) ELECTRICAL OVERLOAD WHICH IGNITED THE CABIN INTERIOR, 3) INADEQUATE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT PROTECTION, AND 4) INSUFFICIENT ELECTRIC…

1) A SHORT CIRCUIT, 2) ELECTRICAL OVERLOAD WHICH IGNITED THE CABIN INTERIOR, 3) INADEQUATE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT PROTECTION, AND 4) INSUFFICIENT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DESIGN STANDARDS.

Jun 29, 1991 GROVELAND, FL N46305 Serious (1) substantial FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED RESULTING IN INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH.
May 29, 1988 BISMARK, MO N8122V Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Jan 10, 1988 CONVERSE, IN N46701 Serious (1) Investigation pending
Mar 15, 1986 STONE MOUNTAIN, GA N7374G Serious (2) substantial Investigation pending
Aug 15, 1985 SANTA PAULA, CA N79504 Serious (2) substantial Investigation pending
Feb 08, 1985 MCCOY, TX N79043 Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Nov 19, 1984 LINEVILLE, AL N46537 Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Sep 17, 1984 ASPEN, CO N78680 Serious (2) substantial Investigation pending
Aug 21, 1983 CANTON, MN N84843 Serious (2) 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