Cessna 172M Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 810 events recorded from 1974 to 2026.

810

All Events

472

Incidents

136

Minor

72

Serious

128

Fatal (233 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Jan 21, 2023 Skull Valley, AZ N92570 Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing in a crosswind.
Nov 18, 2022 Las Vegas, NV N88E Incident minor The student helicopter pilot’s failure to follow the tower controller’s landing instructions, which resulted in a midair collision.
Oct 27, 2022 Roberta, GA N4349R Minor substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain a stabilized approach speed on landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with logs.
Oct 08, 2022 Burlington, WA N73614 Incident substantial The pilots improper landing flare and remedial action which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.
Sep 28, 2022 Monticello, IA N5244R Incident substantial
The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper approach airspeed and glidepath which resulted in a long landing and his inability to stop the airplane on av…

The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper approach airspeed and glidepath which resulted in a long landing and his inability to stop the airplane on available runway and the subsequent runway excursion.

Sep 26, 2022 Superior, MT N12113 Incident substantial The pilot’s excessive airspeed during a landing, which resulted in a runway overrun and collision with terrain.
Sep 12, 2022 Fort Collins, CO N9049H Minor substantial
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain while intentionally maneuvering the airplane at low altitudes, which resulted in substan…

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain while intentionally maneuvering the airplane at low altitudes, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings.

Aug 20, 2022 Pacific Ocean, CA N9670V Fatal (1) unk Undetermined because the airplane and pilot were not located.
Jul 19, 2022 Saint Joseph, IL N9688Q Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to remain clear of obstacles while landing.
Jul 08, 2022 South Portland, ME N9946Q Serious (2) substantial The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Also causal was the flight instructor’s inadequate remedial action.
Jul 08, 2022 Friend, NE N5177H Incident substantial A loss of engine power due to a stuck valve.
May 30, 2022 East Sound, WA N20487 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to attain a proper touchdown point which, resulted in a runway overrun and collision with trees.
May 14, 2022 Lancaster, NY N20459 Incident substantial
The student pilot’s excessive pitch during takeoff resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain. Contributing was the student’s failure to re…

The student pilot’s excessive pitch during takeoff resulted in a loss of control and impact with terrain. Contributing was the student’s failure to relinquish the controls when ordered by the instructor.

Apr 21, 2022 Manhattan, KS N9263H Minor substantial
The pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat during the approach and his unsuitable flight profile for an upsloping runway, which resulted in a partial …

The pilot’s failure to use carburetor heat during the approach and his unsuitable flight profile for an upsloping runway, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and an impact with terrain during an attempted go-around.

Apr 08, 2022 Tomball, TX N1141U Incident substantial The pilot did not maintain directional control during landing, which led to a runway excursion and nose-over of the airplane.
Feb 26, 2022 Banning, CA N9010H Minor substantial The solo student pilot's improper landing flare and bounced landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a parked vehicle and hanger.
Jan 30, 2022 Louisville, KY N20312 Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in cross wind conditions.
Sep 27, 2021 Indian Trail, NC N1401U Minor substantial
The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff and initial climb. Contributing was the pilot’s physical limitation which caused an in…

The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff and initial climb. Contributing was the pilot’s physical limitation which caused an inadvertent application of left rudder.

Apr 24, 2021 Fredericksburg, VA N80874 Incident substantial
The student pilot reported that, during the landing roll, he applied brakes and the airplane veered right. He was unable to correct back to the center…

The student pilot reported that, during the landing roll, he applied brakes and the airplane veered right. He was unable to correct back to the centerline or brake effectively; the airplane exited the runway and struck an embankment before coming to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed damage to the right brake torque plate. The right brake became stuck when actuated and sometimes required prying to release. After the torque plate was replaced, the brake functioned without any anomalies.

Feb 08, 2018 Centralia, IL N1409U Serious (1) substantial The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin.
Dec 29, 2017 Ogden, UT N4395R Fatal (2) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water while flying over a lake with glassy surface conditions. Contributing to the accident was the…

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water while flying over a lake with glassy surface conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's use of three impairing medications.

Nov 19, 2017 Chico, CA N9678Q Minor substantial An in-flight collision with a bird.
Oct 13, 2017 Ramsey, MN N7CF Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot's decision to fly along the river at a low altitude contrary to applicable regulations and safety of flight considerations which resulted in…

The pilot's decision to fly along the river at a low altitude contrary to applicable regulations and safety of flight considerations which resulted in the impact with the power lines. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability to see the and avoid the power lines due to their proximity to a bend in the river and the position of the sun at the time of the accident.

Jan 06, 2017 Hobart, IN N80374 Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to abort the landing when he recognized the airplane was traveling too fast, which resulted in impact with trees off the end of th…

The pilot's failure to abort the landing when he recognized the airplane was traveling too fast, which resulted in impact with trees off the end of the runway.

Dec 31, 2016 Open water, HI N174LL Fatal (3) destroyed Undetermined because the airplane was not located.
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