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
Aug 17, 1998 CHANDLER, AZ N5233D Incident substantial Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and in-flight monitoring of the aircraft's fuel consumption.
Aug 15, 1998 TRAVERSE CITY, MI N6172D Incident substantial
the inadvertent stall/mush. Factors contributing to this accident were the pilot's improper compensation for the wind conditions, and his excessively…

the inadvertent stall/mush. Factors contributing to this accident were the pilot's improper compensation for the wind conditions, and his excessively high flare.

Aug 07, 1998 BROOMFIELD, CO N118FP Incident substantial The pilot's improper remedial action after making a hard landing and porpoising. A factor was his lack of total experience.
Aug 01, 1998 LEBANON, OH N733LK Incident substantial
The pilot's delay in aborting the landing, which resulted in inadequate obstacle (car) clearance during initial takeoff climb. A contributing factor …

The pilot's delay in aborting the landing, which resulted in inadequate obstacle (car) clearance during initial takeoff climb. A contributing factor is the pilot's decision to perform a tailwind landing.

Jul 16, 1998 BROOMFIELD, CO N172AT Incident substantial The pilot's improper landing flare which resulted in a hard landing.
Jul 06, 1998 OLIVE BRANCH, MS N739ZA Incident substantial the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff.
Jul 06, 1998 YOAKUM, TX N5103D Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind resulting in a loss of control. A factor was the crosswind.
Jun 29, 1998 STONE LAKE, WI N6596D Incident substantial
the lack of effective braking due to hydroplaning. Contributing factors to the accident were the trees off the end of the runway that made a go-aroun…

the lack of effective braking due to hydroplaning. Contributing factors to the accident were the trees off the end of the runway that made a go-around not possible and the ditch off the end of the runway.

May 09, 1998 WEST PALM BEACH, FL N733LW Incident substantial
the dual student's failure to use carburetor heat while circling at a reduced power setting, and the flight instructor's failure to properly supervise…

the dual student's failure to use carburetor heat while circling at a reduced power setting, and the flight instructor's failure to properly supervise the student.

May 05, 1998 ENUMCLAW, WA N6468D Incident substantial
The pilot's continued VFR flight into IMC conditions and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Clouds and mountainous terrain were a factor…

The pilot's continued VFR flight into IMC conditions and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Clouds and mountainous terrain were a factor.

Apr 25, 1998 PARKER, CO N6356D Incident substantial
a fractured #1 exhaust valve rocker arm stud, which subsequently resulted in loss of engine power and a forced landing. The lack of suitable terrain …

a fractured #1 exhaust valve rocker arm stud, which subsequently resulted in loss of engine power and a forced landing. The lack of suitable terrain in the forced landing area was a related factor.

Apr 12, 1998 STEVENSVILLE, MD N734MN Incident substantial the pilot's improper flare, improper recover from a bounced landing, and failure to maintain directional control.
Apr 08, 1998 SANTA BARBARA, CA N6417J Incident substantial The pilot's misjudging the landing flare and subsequent hard landing.
Jan 31, 1998 VALDOSTA, GA N738YK Incident substantial
The failure of the student to recover (pull-up) from the intentional maneuver resulting in the in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing to the …

The failure of the student to recover (pull-up) from the intentional maneuver resulting in the in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the ostentatious display by the student.

Nov 28, 1997 SAN JOSE, CA N739HE Incident substantial
the student pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate airspeed and proper rate of descent, and his misjudged landing flare, which led to an uncontrol…

the student pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate airspeed and proper rate of descent, and his misjudged landing flare, which led to an uncontrolled porpoise and eventual collapse of the landing gear.

Nov 24, 1997 WATKINS, CO N738LC Incident substantial loss of engine power for undertermined reason(s).
Nov 02, 1997 PAYSON, AZ N6585D Incident substantial The pilot's selection of a downwind direction to land and his failure to compensate for the quartering tailwind condition.
Oct 05, 1997 SANDWICH, IL N73899 Incident substantial the pilot's inability to maintain flying airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall/mush. A factor contributing to this accident was the wind gust.
Sep 26, 1997 FUQUAY-VARINA, NC N75522 Incident substantial The pilot's misjudged flare, improper level-off, and improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Sep 25, 1997 GREENVILLE, SC N738SZ Incident substantial
the pilot's improper use of the elevator control and delayed liftoff during takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent porpoise, collision with the run…

the pilot's improper use of the elevator control and delayed liftoff during takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent porpoise, collision with the runway, and collapse of the nose gear as he aborted the takeoff.

Aug 19, 1997 PRESCOTT, AZ N3266E Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
Jul 24, 1997 FORT WORTH, TX N733HC Incident substantial failure of the pilot in the Cessna 172 to maintain clearance from the Cessna 152 aircraft.
Jul 15, 1997 LAKELAND, FL N737EV Incident substantial
the student pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain proper runway alignment during the landing, which resulted in …

the student pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain proper runway alignment during the landing, which resulted in a collision with a runway marker. The rear-quartering tailwind (crosswind) and gusts were related factors.

May 16, 1997 MADISON, WI N738LM Incident substantial
the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions which resulted in a loss of directional control of the airplane. Factors associated with the …

the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions which resulted in a loss of directional control of the airplane. Factors associated with the accident were the gusty, crosswind conditions and the VASI lights.

May 07, 1997 EL MONTE, CA N6469D Incident substantial the student pilot's misunderstanding of the controller's clearance during an aborted touch-and-go 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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