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
Mar 23, 2003 Savannah, GA N13591 Serious (2) substantial
The pilot misjudged the landing distance, landed with excessive airspeed, did not attempt a go-around resulting in the airplane going off the overrun,…

The pilot misjudged the landing distance, landed with excessive airspeed, did not attempt a go-around resulting in the airplane going off the overrun, and colliding with trees.

Sep 18, 2002 Edinburg, VA N5033H Serious (1) substantial A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Jun 04, 2002 Mountain Ranch, CA N61569 Serious (2) substantial the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation and his in-flight planning/decision resulting in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power.
Jan 26, 2002 Payson, AZ N5264R Serious (1) substantial Failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane. A contributing factor was the premature raising of the flaps.
Dec 19, 2001 New Smyrna Bch, FL N9882V Serious (4) substantial
the failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed, during initial climb out, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, and subsequent impact with the terrai…

the failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed, during initial climb out, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, and subsequent impact with the terrain.

Sep 20, 2000 BROOKINGS, OR CGHNV Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's loss of control during the landing attempt. Trees, a crosswind condition, the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, an…

The pilot's loss of control during the landing attempt. Trees, a crosswind condition, the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, and a delayed remedial action were factors.

Dec 09, 1999 PIKEVILLE, NC N9234H Serious (1) substantial
The inadequate supervision of the private-rated pilot by the certified flight instructor for allowing the airplane to impact terrain during a simulate…

The inadequate supervision of the private-rated pilot by the certified flight instructor for allowing the airplane to impact terrain during a simulated forced landing procedure to an open field.

Jul 12, 1999 HAMBURG, NY N42246 Serious (1) destroyed The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. A related factor was the lack of experience in make and model.
Jun 21, 1999 SAN DIEGO, CA N61560 Serious (1) destroyed
The mechanic's improper installation of nonapproved automotive electrical system parts, and his failure to ensure that all electrical connections were…

The mechanic's improper installation of nonapproved automotive electrical system parts, and his failure to ensure that all electrical connections were secure during the reinstallation, which resulted in the failure of the electrical system. The pilot's becoming lost and disoriented during the subsequent attempt to find an airport on the dark night flight was a factor.

Jun 20, 1999 FAYETTEVILLE, WV N20952 Serious (3) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the aborted landing. A factor in this accident was the crosswind condition.
Jul 04, 1998 SOMERSET, KY N12187 Serious (1) substantial the pilot's failure to follow procedures to hand-prop the airplane.
Feb 06, 1998 PORT LAVACA, TX N5207R Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power line. Factors were the gusty winds, the pilots lack of experience in the type of operation, i…

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power line. Factors were the gusty winds, the pilots lack of experience in the type of operation, inadequate training and insufficient standards/requirements by the company/operator management, and the power lines.

Jul 14, 1997 MANVILLE, NJ N9679V Serious (1) destroyed
The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed. A factor was the pilot's lack of recent flight e…

The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed. A factor was the pilot's lack of recent flight experience.

Feb 20, 1997 BROOKSVILLE, FL N9987V Serious (1) substantial
inadequate supervision by the flight instructor (CFI), and his failure to ensure that adequate airspeed was obtained/maintained, which resulted in a s…

inadequate supervision by the flight instructor (CFI), and his failure to ensure that adequate airspeed was obtained/maintained, which resulted in a stall and collision with the ground. The crosswind was a related factor.

Mar 22, 1996 FREDERICKSBURG, TX N73356 Serious (1) destroyed
failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed during the approach and go-around, which resulted in a stall and subsequent collision with the grou…

failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed during the approach and go-around, which resulted in a stall and subsequent collision with the ground. Factors relating to the accident were: the high, gusty, crosswind conditions, and the pilot's lack of recent experience.

Dec 27, 1995 EXCELSIOR SPRG, MO N172DA Serious (1) substantial
the pilot's selection of the wrong runway for landing and the delayed aborted landing. Factors associated with the accident were the tailwind conditi…

the pilot's selection of the wrong runway for landing and the delayed aborted landing. Factors associated with the accident were the tailwind condition and the pilot's inadequate level-off.

Aug 26, 1995 INDEPENDENCE, MO N6977H Serious (1) substantial the pilot's failure to perform the pre-takeoff checklist and set the elevator trim tab to the takeoff position.
May 29, 1994 LOOKOUT PASS, ID N30608 Serious (1) destroyed POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING. FACTORS INCLUDE CLOUDY WEATHER.
Jul 28, 1993 HARVEST, AL N13738 Serious (2) substantial THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO EXECUTE A GO-AROUND.
Jul 29, 1992 MOUNT VERNON, OH N76MF Serious (1) substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL.
Jul 13, 1992 BEDFORD, PA N61941 Serious (4) destroyed THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL.
May 01, 1992 AMELIA, VA N20209 Serious (2) destroyed
THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE THAT RESULTED IN AN LANDING OVERRUN AND COLLISION WITH AN EMBANKMENT. CONTRIBUTING WAS FAILURE TO I…

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE THAT RESULTED IN AN LANDING OVERRUN AND COLLISION WITH AN EMBANKMENT. CONTRIBUTING WAS FAILURE TO INITIATE A GO AROUND AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION.

Jul 24, 1991 PHILLIPS, ME N85HC Serious (3) destroyed
AN INADVERTENT STALL AND LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE WING FLAPS FOR TAKEOFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PI…

AN INADVERTENT STALL AND LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE WING FLAPS FOR TAKEOFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S MISUNDERSTANDING OF AIRPLANE PERFORMANCE, AND THE PILOT'S DECISION TO TAKEOFF UPHILL.

Jun 10, 1990 WINFIELD, IA N73566 Serious (1) substantial THE PILOT'S DECISION TO GO-AROUND WAS DELAYED AND CLEARANCE OF THE POWER LINES WAS NOT ATTAINED.
May 06, 1990 SAN JOSE, CA N1495V Serious (1) substantial
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT, IMPROPER RAISING OF THE FLAPS AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE FLYING SPEED, WHICH RESULTED I…

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT, IMPROPER RAISING OF THE FLAPS AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE FLYING SPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.

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