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
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 27, 1999 LONGVIEW, TX N5374J Incident substantial The pilot's improper touchdown technique, which resulted in the airplane porpoising.
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 29, 1999 SUSSEX, NJ N737CJ Fatal (3) substantial
The pilot's improper decision to takeoff with a tailwind. Factor's in this accident were the tailwind condition and pressure to depart caused by othe…

The pilot's improper decision to takeoff with a tailwind. Factor's in this accident were the tailwind condition and pressure to depart caused by other airplanes performing successful downwind departures.

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 25, 1999 DYKE, VA N733DH Fatal (4) destroyed
The pilot's inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his inability to see the rapidly rising terrain. A factor…

The pilot's inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his inability to see the rapidly rising terrain. A factor was the pilot's inaccurate evaluation of the weather.

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.
Jul 14, 1999 ENGLEWOOD, CO N5396D Incident substantial The flight instructor's failure maintain aircraft control. A factor was the inadequate supervision by the flight instructor.
Jul 11, 1999 FARIBAULT, MN N4886G Incident substantial the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff ground run.
Jul 06, 1999 ADDISON, IL N739ND Minor substantial The pilot's improper fuel selector positioning resulting in fuel starvation during cruise.
Jun 18, 1999 PLATTEVILLE, CO N5266J Incident substantial
The pilot misjudging the flare altitude, resulting in a hard landing, and his subsequent loss of aircraft control. A factor was overload forces colla…

The pilot misjudging the flare altitude, resulting in a hard landing, and his subsequent loss of aircraft control. A factor was overload forces collapsing the nose landing gear assembly.

Jun 17, 1999 CLOQUET, MN N9419E Incident destroyed a fire which initiated from an undetermined origin.
Jun 11, 1999 GRAND JUNCTION, CO N359DS Incident substantial
A hard landing when the pilot failed to sufficiently flare the aircraft for touch down. Factors were high-density altitude, and the pilot's lack of t…

A hard landing when the pilot failed to sufficiently flare the aircraft for touch down. Factors were high-density altitude, and the pilot's lack of total flight experience.

Jun 10, 1999 SPRING, TX N5103D Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the takeoff roll. Factors were the crosswind condition and the pilot's lack of total experienc…

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the takeoff roll. Factors were the crosswind condition and the pilot's lack of total experience in the make/model of aircraft.

May 27, 1999 COVINGTON, WA N5120D Minor substantial
The student pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, and his subsequent improper execution of the go-around procedure, resulting in collisi…

The student pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, and his subsequent improper execution of the go-around procedure, resulting in collision with trees off the departure end of the runway. Factors included the student pilot's lack of total experience, and trees off the departure end.

May 22, 1999 CHURCHVILLE, MD N5679E Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Factors were the pilot's lack of recent experience, and the crosswind.
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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