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
Oct 11, 1992 FAIRFIELD, CA N80780 Fatal (1) destroyed
THE PILOT'S DELAY IN INITIATING A GO-AROUND DURING A NIGHT LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT MISJUDGING DISTANCE AND SPEED RESU…

THE PILOT'S DELAY IN INITIATING A GO-AROUND DURING A NIGHT LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT MISJUDGING DISTANCE AND SPEED RESULTING A OVERSHOOTING THE TOUCHDOWN, THE NIGHT LIGHT CONDITION, HIS LACK OF NIGHT FLYING EXPERIENCE IN A CESSNA 172, AND HIS FAILURE TO TURN OFF THE CARBURETOR HEAT DURING THE GO-AROUND.

Oct 10, 1992 ADDISON, TX N1440V Incident substantial THE ATTEMPT BY BOTH PILOTS TO PASS EACH OTHER WITHOUT ADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THEIR AIRPLANES.
Sep 19, 1992 PICAYUNE, MS N9578H Minor destroyed
THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED (VSO) WHILE CONDUCTING SLOW FLIGHT AT A LOW ALTITUDE. THIS RESULTED IN AN IN FLIGHT LOSS OF CONTRO…

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED (VSO) WHILE CONDUCTING SLOW FLIGHT AT A LOW ALTITUDE. THIS RESULTED IN AN IN FLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL (STALL) AND SUBSEQUENT IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TREES.

Sep 19, 1992 LLOYD, MT N12089 Incident substantial THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS WIND GUSTS.
Sep 18, 1992 EVANSTON, WY N9632H Fatal (1) destroyed LOSS OF CONTROL FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.
Sep 09, 1992 BOONE, NC N19797 Minor substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKE OFF, AND HIS ABRUPT PULL UP WITH INSUFFICIENT AIRSPEED TO CONTINUE FLIGHT. FACTORS WERE THE INADEQUATE AIRSPEED …

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKE OFF, AND HIS ABRUPT PULL UP WITH INSUFFICIENT AIRSPEED TO CONTINUE FLIGHT. FACTORS WERE THE INADEQUATE AIRSPEED AND THE INADVERTENT STALL.

Sep 02, 1992 HERNANDO, MS N64001 Incident substantial
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSSWIND CONDITION, RESULTING IN A GROUND LOOP. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'…

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSSWIND CONDITION, RESULTING IN A GROUND LOOP. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF AIRCRAFT.

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.
Jun 10, 1992 HASTINGS, MI N80490 Incident substantial
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S MISJUDGEMENT OF THE TOUCHDOWN POINT WHICH RESULTED IN AN UNDERSHOOT AND DAMAGE TO THE ELEVATOR. IN ADDITION, THE PILOT-IN-COMMA…

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S MISJUDGEMENT OF THE TOUCHDOWN POINT WHICH RESULTED IN AN UNDERSHOOT AND DAMAGE TO THE ELEVATOR. IN ADDITION, THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND FAILED TO PROPERLY INSPECT THE AIRPLANE FOR DAMAGE PRIOR TO FURTHER FLIGHT.

May 23, 1992 COATESVILLE, PA N733PG Incident substantial
THE PASSENGERS INTERFERENCE WITH THE CONTROL YOKE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE ENTERING AN UNUSUAL ATTITUDE, AND THE PILOT OVERSTRESSING THE WINGS …

THE PASSENGERS INTERFERENCE WITH THE CONTROL YOKE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE ENTERING AN UNUSUAL ATTITUDE, AND THE PILOT OVERSTRESSING THE WINGS DURING THE RECOVERY.

May 19, 1992 CLIMAX SPRINGS, MO N80255 Incident substantial DELAY IN ABORTING THE LANDING BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.
May 02, 1992 CANTON, TX N9623V Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE ATTEMPTED GO AROUND FOLLOWING AN ENCOUNTER WITH ADVERSE WIND COND…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE ATTEMPTED GO AROUND FOLLOWING AN ENCOUNTER WITH ADVERSE WIND CONDITIONS ON APPROACH.

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.

Apr 22, 1992 SHAW ISLAND, WA N64156 Fatal (1) substantial
A DELAYED GO-AROUND, AND PROCEDURES NOT BEING FOLLOWED. FACTORS INCLUDE A LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF OPERATION, TREES NEAR THE RUNWAY, A…

A DELAYED GO-AROUND, AND PROCEDURES NOT BEING FOLLOWED. FACTORS INCLUDE A LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF OPERATION, TREES NEAR THE RUNWAY, AND AN UPHILL RUNWAY SLOPE.

Apr 18, 1992 HAINES, AK N80115 Incident substantial THE PILOT'S DELAYED DECISION TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: INADEQUATE AIRSPEED AN SOFT/SANDY TERRAIN.
Apr 12, 1992 STUTTGART, AR N6934H Minor substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS. FACTORS WERE THE CROSSWIND AND THE DOWNDRAFT.
Apr 04, 1992 OSAGE BEACH, MO N9568V Incident substantial THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO USE ALL TH EAVAILABLE RUNWAY AND HIS MISJUDGMENT OF THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT DURING LANDING.
Mar 26, 1992 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK N20059 Fatal (1) destroyed
INADVERTENT STALL DURING ABORTED LANDING. FACTORS WERE THE TAILWIND, THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF THE WRONG RUNWAY FOR EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS AND HIS LO…

INADVERTENT STALL DURING ABORTED LANDING. FACTORS WERE THE TAILWIND, THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF THE WRONG RUNWAY FOR EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS AND HIS LONG LANDING.

Dec 27, 1991 SANFORD, MI N6623H Fatal (2) destroyed
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A VISUAL LOOKOUT TO AVOID A WIRE STRIKE. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S INTENTIONAL LOW LEVEL FLIGHT,…

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A VISUAL LOOKOUT TO AVOID A WIRE STRIKE. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S INTENTIONAL LOW LEVEL FLIGHT, HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE, AND THE TRANSMISSION WIRES.

Nov 26, 1991 SAIPAN, CQ N733PB Incident destroyed A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CARBURETOR ICING AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO CORRECTLY USE CARBURETOR HEAT.
Nov 10, 1991 CARMEL VALLEY, CA N80274 Fatal (3) destroyed
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A SAFE ALTITUDE ABOVE THE GROUND DURING AN INTENTIONAL LOW ALTITUDE FLIGHT IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING FACTO…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A SAFE ALTITUDE ABOVE THE GROUND DURING AN INTENTIONAL LOW ALTITUDE FLIGHT IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS RELATED TO THE PILOT BECOMING DISTRACTED WHILE FLYING OVER THE GROUND AND TO HIS FAILURE TO INITIATE A CLIMB OR TAKE OTHER CORRECTIVE ACTION BY ALTERING HIS COURSE IN A TIMELY MANNER TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH THE MOUNTAIN.

Nov 02, 1991 SPRINGER, NM N61539 Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN ATTEMPTING FLIGHT INTO FORCASTED ADVERSE WEATHER, HIS DISREGARD FOR THE HAZARDOUS WEATHER ADVISORY RECEIVED WHICH RESULT…

THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN ATTEMPTING FLIGHT INTO FORCASTED ADVERSE WEATHER, HIS DISREGARD FOR THE HAZARDOUS WEATHER ADVISORY RECEIVED WHICH RESULTED IN PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AS A RESULT OF A BLOCKED INDUCTION SYSTEM DUE TO ICE AND SNOW, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY ALIGN THE AIRCRAFT WITH THE RUNWAY.

Oct 04, 1991 ERIE, CO N80650 Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL LAND HIS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. FACTORS WERE: CROSSWIND CONDITIONS AND THE…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL LAND HIS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. FACTORS WERE: CROSSWIND CONDITIONS AND THE PILOT'S TOTAL LACK OF EXPERIENCE.

Oct 03, 1991 BETHEL, AK N20024 Incident substantial A POWER LOSS OVER UNSUITABLE TERRAIN WHICH RESULTED IN A NOSE OVER.
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