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 04, 2001 White Stone, VA N80562 Minor substantial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Jul 25, 2001 Placerville, CA N8962V Minor substantial
Inadequate airspeed during climb out following an aborted landing that was precipitated by the pilot's misjudged speed/distance on final approach. Al…

Inadequate airspeed during climb out following an aborted landing that was precipitated by the pilot's misjudged speed/distance on final approach. Also, contributing to the accident was the pilot's inexperience in the type of operation, his failure to properly configure the airplane's flaps for the go-around, and the dark nighttime condition.

Jul 19, 2001 Carson City, NV N20466 Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to follow the approved procedures for the aircraft when he attempted to takeoff at high density altitude with the wing flaps fully…

The pilot's failure to follow the approved procedures for the aircraft when he attempted to takeoff at high density altitude with the wing flaps fully extended.

Dec 09, 2000 MOUNT STERLING, KY N80854 Minor substantial The student pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
Oct 07, 2000 SPARTA, WI N13214 Minor destroyed
the pilot's inaccurate fuel consumption calculations, improper fuel management, inadequate in-flight planning/decision, flight to destination alternat…

the pilot's inaccurate fuel consumption calculations, improper fuel management, inadequate in-flight planning/decision, flight to destination alternate not performed, and the discontinued planned approach to the initially selected runway. Contributing factors were the fuel system not understood by the pilot. The tree was additional factor.

Aug 08, 2000 MANTEO, NC N3529Q Minor substantial The pilot's failure of preflight planning preparation, which resulted in the fuel exhaustion, and the subsequent loss of engine power.
Jul 19, 2000 COLUMBUS, OH N80624 Minor substantial a partial power loss for undetermined reason(s).
Mar 07, 2000 MANILLA, AR N20179 Minor substantial The pilot's performance of low altitude flight and his failure to maintain clearance with the power lines.
Jan 17, 2000 LIBERAL, KS N12654 Minor substantial
the pilot not maintaining proper glidepath on the ILS approach, the pilot's improper decision to continue the approach below the glidepath, and the pi…

the pilot not maintaining proper glidepath on the ILS approach, the pilot's improper decision to continue the approach below the glidepath, and the pilot's failure to perform a missed approach. Factors relating to the accident were the low ceiling and visibility, and the fog.

Oct 29, 1999 PINEVILLE, LA N5301E Minor substantial The student pilot's misjudgment of distance/speed during approach resulting in his failure to attain the proper touchdown point.
Sep 11, 1999 DALEVILLE, IN N172DJ Minor substantial A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
May 08, 1999 LANCASTER, TX N101PD Minor substantial The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent total loss of engine power.
Apr 25, 1999 LAKE GENEVA, WI N64373 Minor substantial
the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing. Factors contributing to this accident were the variable winds and the…

the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing. Factors contributing to this accident were the variable winds and the ditch.

Nov 08, 1998 BELEN, NM N8883V Minor substantial The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, resulting in fuel supply exhaustion.
May 17, 1998 ALBUQUERQUE, NM N64015 Minor destroyed
The flight instructor's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft. Factors were crosswind, high wind conditions, insufficient demonstra…

The flight instructor's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft. Factors were crosswind, high wind conditions, insufficient demonstrated crosswind component information provided by the manufacturer, and insufficient aircraft standards/requirements by the FAA.

Apr 11, 1998 SCOTTSDALE, AZ N73405 Minor destroyed The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his inadequate compensation for the wind condition. A contributing factor was the crosswind.
Mar 22, 1998 WEYERS CAVE, VA N80512 Minor substantial
the pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, whic…

the pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in an encounter with a fence on uneven terrain and a nose over.

Aug 27, 1997 PORTAGE, WI N9026H Minor substantial
the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation, and subsequent fuel exhaustion. Factors relating to this accident were: the guard rail, the highway, an…

the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation, and subsequent fuel exhaustion. Factors relating to this accident were: the guard rail, the highway, and the ditch.

Jul 20, 1997 DONNELLY, ID N1418U Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to perform proper preflight planning for the flight, and his failure to obtain/maintain clearance from trees during takeoff. Fact…

The pilot's failure to perform proper preflight planning for the flight, and his failure to obtain/maintain clearance from trees during takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident include the pilot's delayed remedial action, his improper use of flaps, and high density altitude.

Jun 07, 1997 PUT-IN-BAY, OH N5267R Minor destroyed
Pilot in command failed to maintain control of the airplane. Factors to the accident where high wind conditions with a strong crosswind component and…

Pilot in command failed to maintain control of the airplane. Factors to the accident where high wind conditions with a strong crosswind component and the pilot's inadvertent failure to raise the flaps during the go around.

Feb 16, 1997 SAN ANTONIO, TX N80814 Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall. A factor was the pilot's lack of recent experience.
Oct 12, 1996 ALBANY, OR N9579H Minor substantial
failure of the SA-750 pilot to see-and-avoid the Cessna 172, which had landed ahead of him on the same runway. The inherent visual restrictions of th…

failure of the SA-750 pilot to see-and-avoid the Cessna 172, which had landed ahead of him on the same runway. The inherent visual restrictions of the SA-750 (a tandem two-place biplane) was a related factor.

Jul 27, 1996 BACKUS, MN N1620V Minor substantial the pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude and his abrupt maneuver to avoid the tree tops. The dark night was a factor.
Jul 26, 1996 NEZ PERCE, ID N61842 Minor substantial
the pilot's improper in-flight decision to turn up a canyon, which the aircraft was unable to out-climb. Factors relating to the accident were: high …

the pilot's improper in-flight decision to turn up a canyon, which the aircraft was unable to out-climb. Factors relating to the accident were: high ambient temperature, high density altitude, blind/box canyon, and trees in the area where the aircraft's climb profile caused it to come in contact with the raising terrain.

Jun 07, 1996 TOOELE, UT N9594V Minor substantial
failure of the flight instructor (CFI) to ensure that adequate airspeed was maintained during initial climb after lift-off, which resulted in an inadv…

failure of the flight instructor (CFI) to ensure that adequate airspeed was maintained during initial climb after lift-off, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush. High density altitude was a related factor.

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