Cessna 172N Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 1178 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

1178

All Events

709

Incidents

180

Minor

90

Serious

197

Fatal (403 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Mar 24, 2000 MAUD, OK N75958 Incident substantial
the loss of engine power while maneuvering as a result of the separation of the exhaust rocker arm retaining stud due to fatigue, which resulted in a …

the loss of engine power while maneuvering as a result of the separation of the exhaust rocker arm retaining stud due to fatigue, which resulted in a precautionary landing.

Mar 22, 2000 QUINCY, WA N229CP Incident substantial Failure to maintain terrain clearance. Factors include mountainous/hilly terrain.
Feb 07, 2000 BERMUDA DUNES, CA N739GQ Incident substantial Failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff.
Jan 25, 2000 LINCOLNTON, GA N2469E Incident substantial The pilot's failure to remove ice from the wings prior to takeoff resulting in the aircraft not climbing after takeoff and colliding with a tree.
Dec 21, 1999 MELBOURNE, FL N8182E Incident substantial The certified flight instructor's improper touchdown flare that resulted in a hard landing.
Nov 22, 1999 DEFUNIAK SPGS, FL N733AH Incident substantial
Was the pilot's failure to obtain a proper weather briefing resulting in his encounter with fog, his having to make a precautionary landing in a field…

Was the pilot's failure to obtain a proper weather briefing resulting in his encounter with fog, his having to make a precautionary landing in a field when the aircraft became low on fuel, and the on ground collision with trees during landing roll.

Nov 15, 1999 HOPEDALE, MA N738NL Incident substantial was the student pilot's improper flare that resulted in a bounced landing and the flight instructor's delay in taking remedial action.
Nov 12, 1999 RAWLINS, WY N5225D Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning preparation which resulted in fuel exhaustion. Factors in the accident were the unsuitable terrain on which…

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning preparation which resulted in fuel exhaustion. Factors in the accident were the unsuitable terrain on which to make a forced landing and the pilot's lack of experience in aircraft type.

Nov 02, 1999 CHANDLER, AZ N98909 Incident substantial The pilot's misjudged landing flare and failure to maintain an adequate airspeed margin, which resulted in a stall/mush and hard landing.
Oct 25, 1999 CRANDON, WI N4776E Incident substantial the deer that ran out onto the runway and collided with the airplane. A factor associated with the accident was the night lighting conditions.
Oct 21, 1999 DEER VALLEY, AZ N738FY Incident substantial
Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight verification of the fuel quantity, and, once he became aware of the critical fuel state, his d…

Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight verification of the fuel quantity, and, once he became aware of the critical fuel state, his decision to over-fly two alternate airports in order to continue to his destination.

Sep 27, 1999 LONGVIEW, TX N5374J Incident substantial The pilot's improper touchdown technique, which resulted in the airplane porpoising.
Sep 27, 1999 DES MOINES, IA N738FA Incident substantial the pilot's improper in-flight planning and decisions which led to fuel exhaustion. A factor relating to this accident was the telephone pole.
Sep 26, 1999 VACAVILLE, CA N738ZQ Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing gusty crosswind condition and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control.
Sep 19, 1999 MOONTOWN, AL N734TC Incident substantial
The pilot's decision to land on a runway with a quartering tailwind, his failure to obtain the proper touchdown point on the runway, and his delay in …

The pilot's decision to land on a runway with a quartering tailwind, his failure to obtain the proper touchdown point on the runway, and his delay in aborting the takeoff phase of a touch and go landing, resulting in the aircraft overrunning the runway, colliding with a ditch, and nosing over.

Sep 17, 1999 MERCED, CA N2339E Incident substantial
The pilot's premature retraction of the flaps during an attempted go-around with insufficient airspeed, which led to an inadvertent stall/mush conditi…

The pilot's premature retraction of the flaps during an attempted go-around with insufficient airspeed, which led to an inadvertent stall/mush condition.

Sep 12, 1999 SAN JOSE, CA N534CA Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout during taxi. Sun glare was a factor in the accident.
Sep 05, 1999 CARLSBAD, CA N733WX Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from obstacles during taxi in a confined space.
Sep 04, 1999 LAKELAND, FL N172AN Incident substantial
The student pilots improper use of brakes on landing rollout resulting in a loss of directional control and subsequent collision with a ditch. Contrib…

The student pilots improper use of brakes on landing rollout resulting in a loss of directional control and subsequent collision with a ditch. Contributing to the accident was the certified flight instructors improper supervision of the student pilot.

Aug 27, 1999 OLIVE BRANCH, MS N4521E Incident substantial the pilot misjudged the flare, resulting in the nose gear impacting the runway, and a bounced landing.
Aug 08, 1999 HOT SPRINGS, AR N737JP Incident substantial
the pilot's failure to refuel the airplane which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power. A factor was the lack of suitable terra…

the pilot's failure to refuel the airplane which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

Aug 04, 1999 ENGLEWOOD, CO N733CK Incident substantial The unforecasted sudden wind change, and the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor was the down sloping terrain next to the runway.
Jul 25, 1999 PRESCOTT, AZ N5535D Incident substantial
the student pilot's premature retraction of the flaps during an aborted landing and his failure to obtain/maintain adequate flying airspeed, which res…

the student pilot's premature retraction of the flaps during an aborted landing and his failure to obtain/maintain adequate flying airspeed, which resulted in a stall/mush condition and the airplane settling back onto the ground. The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the subsequent ground roll was also causal.

Jul 20, 1999 GREENVILLE, MI N3558E Incident substantial
the student pilot's inadequate use of the rudder which resulted in a loss of directional control during an aborted landing. A factor associated with …

the student pilot's inadequate use of the rudder which resulted in a loss of directional control during an aborted landing. A factor associated with the accident was the student's lack of total experience and the segmented circle which the airplane contacted.

Jul 16, 1999 KISSIMMEE, FL N734YU Incident substantial The pilot's improper flare and recovery from a 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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