Cessna 172L Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 162 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

162

All Events

97

Incidents

25

Minor

13

Serious

26

Fatal (45 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Aug 14, 2025 Walters, OK N2860Q Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Mar 07, 2025 Romeo, MI N7550G Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the soft, wet grass.
Oct 07, 2024 El Monte, CA N7869G Incident substantial A total loss of engine power due to contaminated fuel.
Sep 17, 2024 DeLand, FL N19703 Incident substantial
The parachutist’s failure to control his canopy which resulted in a downwind landing, an overshoot of the drop zone, and collision with a departing ai…

The parachutist’s failure to control his canopy which resulted in a downwind landing, an overshoot of the drop zone, and collision with a departing airplane.

Jun 29, 2024 Oxnard, CA N2835Q Incident substantial The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
Jan 18, 2024 Grass Valley, CA N7250Q Incident substantial Loss of control during the landing roll due to a malfunctioning brake for undetermined reasons.
Oct 21, 2023 Richmond, VA N7716G Incident substantial The loss of engine power due to a restriction of fuel flow as a result of a fractured float bracket in the carburetor.
Mar 11, 2023 Lewiston, ID N7010Q Incident substantial
The flight instructor’s inadequate fuel planning and improper in-flight decision-making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel ex…

The flight instructor’s inadequate fuel planning and improper in-flight decision-making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

Jan 29, 2023 Cleveland, TX N621EW Minor substantial
The pilot’s decision to attempt the night flight under visual flight rules when instrument meteorological conditions prevailed resulting in the airpla…

The pilot’s decision to attempt the night flight under visual flight rules when instrument meteorological conditions prevailed resulting in the airplane striking trees while on final approach. Contributing to the accident were the unserviceable runway lights at the destination airport.

Sep 16, 2022 Ventura, CA N7917G Minor substantial A partial loss of engine power due to the fatigue fracture of the No. 4 exhaust valve.
May 28, 2022 Canyon Lake, TX N3842Q Minor substantial
The pilot’s failure to retract the flaps during a go-around, which resulted in decreased climb performance and a subsequent collision with trees and t…

The pilot’s failure to retract the flaps during a go-around, which resulted in decreased climb performance and a subsequent collision with trees and terrain.

Jan 08, 2022 Knoxville, TN N19710 Incident substantial The pilot of the Cessna 150’s failure to avoid the taxiing Cessna 172.
Jan 03, 2022 Minocqua, WI N4209Q Incident substantial The pilot’s loss of control during landing when the airplane encountered ice and snow on the runway.
Dec 27, 2021 Koggala, CE 4R-GAF Incident substantial Investigation pending
Sep 22, 2017 Perkinsville, AZ N7070Q Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot's decision to fly into a canyon during wind conditions conducive to turbulence and downdrafts, and his subsequent loss of aircraft control w…

The pilot's decision to fly into a canyon during wind conditions conducive to turbulence and downdrafts, and his subsequent loss of aircraft control while maneuvering in the canyon. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's limited canyon flying experience.

Mar 26, 2016 McNeil Island, WA N1151M Incident substantial
The student pilot's fuel mismanagement, which led to fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power during cruise flight. Contributing to the accide…

The student pilot's fuel mismanagement, which led to fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident was his failure to follow the appropriate engine start, before takeoff, and emergency checklists.

Jan 16, 2015 New Castle, PA N7079Q Incident substantial Pilot's inadequate control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Jun 28, 2014 Danbury, CT N7867G Incident substantial The pilot's use of a person unfamiliar with aviation and his failure to properly secure the airplane during hand starting of the engine.
Aug 30, 2013 McComb, MS N7892G Minor substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during approach to landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control.
May 31, 2013 Millinocket, ME N9816G Incident substantial The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Mar 17, 2013 Pontiac, MI N7282Q Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control after an unexplained increase in engine power while taxiing.
Feb 07, 2013 Idabel, OK N7974G Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Jan 28, 2012 Grand Isle, VT N811P Incident substantial The pilot's inability to stop the airplane on a grass runway with undetected ice.
Mar 03, 2011 Fayetteville, GA N7067Q Incident substantial The pilot's decision to land with excessive speed in gusting, tailwind conditions, resulting in a runway overrun.
Jul 18, 2009 Anchorage, AK N7136Q Incident substantial
The pilot's unfamiliarity with the airport environment, which resulted in his taxiing the airplane onto a no-taxi section of roadway and into a road s…

The pilot's unfamiliarity with the airport environment, which resulted in his taxiing the airplane onto a no-taxi section of roadway and into a road sign. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to avail himself of additional information that described the appropriate taxi routes on the airport.

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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