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
Sep 14, 2005 Amarillo, TX N19998 Minor destroyed
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Contributing factors were the reported loss of engine power for und…

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Contributing factors were the reported loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the high density altitude.

Sep 13, 2005 Ocean Springs, MS N901NS Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's mismanagement of available fuel and continued operation with the fuel selector set to the left tank position, which resulted in fuel starv…

The pilot's mismanagement of available fuel and continued operation with the fuel selector set to the left tank position, which resulted in fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engine power.

Aug 04, 2005 Hoquiam, WA N724TM Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fence. The fence was a factor.
Aug 02, 2005 El Dorado, AR N80735 Incident substantial The student pilot's improper landing flare resulting in a hard landing and his improper recovery procedures for a bounced landing.
Jun 26, 2005 Marysville, OH N80802 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Jun 24, 2005 Yamhill, OR N4368R Fatal (2) substantial
The flight instructor's excessive climb and failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an attempted go-around, which resulted in an inadvertent stal…

The flight instructor's excessive climb and failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an attempted go-around, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent collision with the ground. Contributing factors were the flight instructor's improper decision making.

Jun 18, 2005 Rochester, MN N73328 Incident substantial The pilot flared improperly and failed to recover from a bounced landing.
Jun 10, 2005 Carlsbad, CA N1126U Incident substantial the other pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain separation while taxiing.
May 18, 2005 Tucson, AZ N9017H Incident substantial The student pilot's improper flare that induced a porpoise, which resulted in the overload failure of the nose wheel assembly.
Mar 18, 2005 Spring, TX N91505 Minor substantial
The pilot's inadequate use of carburetor heat, which resulted in carburetor ice and the loss of engine power. A contributing factor was conditions co…

The pilot's inadequate use of carburetor heat, which resulted in carburetor ice and the loss of engine power. A contributing factor was conditions conducive to carburetor icing.

Feb 03, 2005 Desert Center, CA N472RA Incident substantial
The instructor's improper decision to land on the dry lakebed without knowing the condition of the landing surface. A factor in the accident was the …

The instructor's improper decision to land on the dry lakebed without knowing the condition of the landing surface. A factor in the accident was the soft sand surface of the lake bed.

Jan 11, 2005 Orlando, FL N9336H Fatal (1) substantial
The failure of the CFI to initiate a precautionary landing after noticing zero oil pressure with corresponding oil temperature increase, resulting in …

The failure of the CFI to initiate a precautionary landing after noticing zero oil pressure with corresponding oil temperature increase, resulting in total loss of engine power due to oil exhaustion. A contributing factor in the accident was the failure of company maintenance personnel to replace the flexible oil cooler hoses during engine installation following overhaul, as recommended by the engine manufacturer.

Oct 09, 2004 Eliot, ME N80657 Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning decision, which resulted a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Sep 18, 2004 Houstonia, MO N80237 Minor substantial The fatigue failure of the piston end of the connecting rod and the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the forced landing.
Sep 10, 2004 Medina, OH N172WW Incident substantial The partial loss of engine power due to inadequate maintenance and by failure to comply with service instruction for low engine compression.
Aug 15, 2004 Yuba City, CA C-GTKX Fatal (1) destroyed the pilot's failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall.
Aug 12, 2004 Brownville Junc, ME N12959 Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the airplane's controlled flight into rising terrain.…

The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in the airplane's controlled flight into rising terrain. Factors included the instrument meteorological conditions and the rising terrain.

Jul 30, 2004 Sublette, KS N105PD Minor substantial
The student pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition, and her failure to maintain aircraft control during landing. Factors contrib…

The student pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition, and her failure to maintain aircraft control during landing. Factors contributing to the accident included the student pilot's unsuccessful recovery from the bounced landings and the soft terrain conditions.

Jul 18, 2004 Brookville, OH N9731V Fatal (1) substantial
The student pilot's control interference while the flight instructor was maneuvering to avoid a tree, which resulted in a failure to maintain airspeed…

The student pilot's control interference while the flight instructor was maneuvering to avoid a tree, which resulted in a failure to maintain airspeed and a stall/mush.

Jul 14, 2004 Aniak, AK N1453V Incident minor The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power.
Jul 01, 2004 Winston Salem, NC N71409 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the fence post, while taxing which resulted in a collision.
May 29, 2004 Worcester, MA N73704 Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and his inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor in the accident was the gusting w…

The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and his inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor in the accident was the gusting wind.

May 29, 2004 Vernonia, OR N5440H Incident substantial The instructor pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance and his failure to execute a go-around resulting in an overrun of the runway.
May 10, 2004 Curico, CI CC-CWP Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Mar 14, 2004 Eltopia, WA N1883V Incident substantial Remedial action delayed during the takeoff roll. Factors include rough/uneven terrain.
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