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 26, 2008 Carroll, IA N333AE Incident substantial The improper preflight planning/decision made by the pilot in attempting a taxi in high wind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the winds.
Sep 01, 2008 Three Lakes, WI N12809 Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to attain sufficient altitude to avoid the trees during initial climb. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's failure to en…

The pilot's failure to attain sufficient altitude to avoid the trees during initial climb. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's failure to ensure the security of the entrance door before takeoff and the unintentional opening of the door.

Aug 03, 2008 Jefferson, NC N73594 Minor substantial
A loss of directional control during the takeoff roll for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the severity of the event was the descending embankmen…

A loss of directional control during the takeoff roll for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the severity of the event was the descending embankment adjacent to the runway.

Jul 22, 2008 Bountiful, UT N7672 Minor substantial A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Jul 20, 2008 Leavenworth, WA N80849 Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and failure to attain a sufficient airspeed to continue the takeoff. A contributing factor was the high den…

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and failure to attain a sufficient airspeed to continue the takeoff. A contributing factor was the high density altitude and short runway.

Jun 30, 2008 Oakland, CA N61736 Minor substantial
A loss of engine power due to oil starvation. The oil starvation event was due to the failure of maintenance personnel to tighten the mounting bolts …

A loss of engine power due to oil starvation. The oil starvation event was due to the failure of maintenance personnel to tighten the mounting bolts for the newly installed vacuum pump.

Jun 27, 2008 Skykomish, WA N94HJ Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision and failure to execute a go-around when the airplane floated during the flare. Contributing to the…

The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision and failure to execute a go-around when the airplane floated during the flare. Contributing to the accident was the short and wet turf runway surface, which reduced braking action.

Jun 25, 2008 Toms River, NJ N13105 Minor substantial The failure of the pilot's seat to engage or remain engaged due to the improper inspection of the worn seat tracks.
Jun 24, 2008 San Diego, CA N9629V Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a touch-and-go landing.
Jun 17, 2008 Pahala, HI N13713 Fatal (3) substantial
The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to remain clear of rising terrain while deviating from h…

The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to remain clear of rising terrain while deviating from his planned route of flight. Contributing to the accident were clouds and mountainous terrain.

Jun 09, 2008 Byron, CA N9328H Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout.
Jun 06, 2008 Byron, CA N73403 Incident substantial
The flight instructor's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, and his inadequate supervision of the student pilot. Factors contributing to …

The flight instructor's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, and his inadequate supervision of the student pilot. Factors contributing to the accident were a sudden wind shift and wind gusts.

May 28, 2008 San Antonio, TX N9144H Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an object while taxiing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's diverted attention and a vehicl…

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an object while taxiing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's diverted attention and a vehicle.

May 28, 2008 Big Bear City, CA N21134 Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while on approach to landing that resulted in a stall/mush. Contributing to the accident was the wi…

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while on approach to landing that resulted in a stall/mush. Contributing to the accident was the wind shear and the high density altitude condition.

May 23, 2008 Savannah, GA N73471 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control on landing touchdown with a crosswind.
May 22, 2008 Chuckey, TN N74WC Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident was his failure to abort the…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident was his failure to abort the takeoff.

May 09, 2008 Yurimaguas, PE OB-1366 Incident substantial Investigation pending
May 03, 2008 Dixie, ID N20406 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the vegetation during takeoff.
Mar 11, 2008 Richfield, UT N80318 Minor substantial The pilot's improper use of the flight controls and failure to maintain directional control.
Mar 08, 2008 Gun Barrel City, TX N13246 Fatal (1) substantial The pilot's failure to avoid the transmission line. A contributing factor was the pilot's decision to perform a low-level maneuver.
Jan 12, 2008 Pine Bluffs, WY N12606 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. Contributing factors in this accident were the unfavorable wind and the snow bank.
Oct 28, 2007 Duluth, MN N4366R Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the landing approach. Contributing to the accident was the crosswind weather condition…

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the landing approach. Contributing to the accident was the crosswind weather condition.

Oct 18, 2007 Rangeley, ME N92737 Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing flare/touchdown. A factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted at…

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing flare/touchdown. A factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention.

Sep 08, 2007 Mansfield, MA N19952 Fatal (2) substantial
The pilot's improper use of wing flaps during takeoff, which resulted in reduced climb performance and a subsequent stall. Contributing to the acciden…

The pilot's improper use of wing flaps during takeoff, which resulted in reduced climb performance and a subsequent stall. Contributing to the accident was the exceedance of the airplane's maximum gross weight.

Sep 05, 2007 Pontiac, MI N73455 Incident substantial The pilot's misjudgment of the landing flare and her improper recovery from the bounced landing.
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