Cessna 172N Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 1178 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 14, 2010 | Genoa City, WI | N24CV | Minor | substantial |
A total loss of engine power due to the failure of the bolts that held in place the connecting rods to the engine's No. 3 and No. 4 cylinders as a res…A total loss of engine power due to the failure of the bolts that held in place the connecting rods to the engine's No. 3 and No. 4 cylinders as a result of the engine overhaul facility's improper installation of the bolts during a recent overhaul. |
| Sep 13, 2009 | Hillsville, VA | N734TV | Minor | substantial | The total loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. |
| Feb 20, 2009 | Big Bear Lake, CA | N6443E | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering in a ravine. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to contin…The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering in a ravine. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to continue flight in an area that exceeded the climb rate capabilities of the airplane. |
| Feb 07, 2009 | Atmautluak, AK | N5246D | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while landing in gusty winds, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall; his improper aircraft weight c…The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while landing in gusty winds, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall; his improper aircraft weight calculations; and his operation of the airplane over the allowable gross weight limit. |
| Aug 16, 2008 | Huntington, IN | N733KC | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadvertent use of the toe …The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadvertent use of the toe brake. |
| Jan 25, 2008 | Beaver Marsh, OR | N734KU | Minor | substantial | The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision to land on a snow covered runway without first determining the depth of the snow. |
| Dec 01, 2007 | Gaithersburg, MD | N259ER | Minor | substantial |
The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during an attempted touch-and-go. Contributing to the accident was the instructor's delay in …The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during an attempted touch-and-go. Contributing to the accident was the instructor's delay in taking remedial action, and the presence of trees in proximity to the side of the runway. |
| Nov 17, 2007 | Atwater, CA | N3318E | Minor | substantial |
The failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Factors contributing to the accident included the sign and …The failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Factors contributing to the accident included the sign and the ditch. |
| Oct 07, 2007 | Oxford, MS | N5260J | Minor | substantial | The pilots inadvertent stall during takeoff. A contributing factor was his failure to calculate the aircraft gross weight prior to the flight. |
| Oct 04, 2007 | Calhan, CO | N2263E | Minor | substantial | The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. |
| Sep 08, 2007 | Carrabelle, FL | N1954F | Minor | substantial | The improper flare by the pilot-in-command resulting in a hard landing. |
| Mar 09, 2007 | Phoenix, AZ | N4663D | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent into terrain during landing. A contributing…The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent into terrain during landing. A contributing factor was the pilot's distracted attention due to the inaccurate flap indicator. |
| Sep 03, 2006 | Pensacola, FL | N1210F | Minor | substantial | The student pilot's failure to raise the wing flaps for a go-around resulting in the airplane not climbing and an in-flight collision with trees. |
| Jul 26, 2006 | Wadsworth, OH | N739TG | Minor | substantial |
The pilot used an improper aborted takeoff procedure in that she failed to reduce the engine power. Factors associated with the accident were the tai…The pilot used an improper aborted takeoff procedure in that she failed to reduce the engine power. Factors associated with the accident were the tailwind, the wrong runway selection, the pilot's lack of experience, the guard rail, and the embankment. |
| Mar 07, 2006 | Compton, CA | N739NU | Minor | substantial | control interference by the student pilot during a go-around that resulted in an in-flight collision with power lines. |
| Apr 14, 2005 | Olney, TX | N733UV | Minor | substantial |
The loss of engine power due to carburetor ice. Contributing factors were the weather conditions conducive for carburetor icing and the lack of suita…The loss of engine power due to carburetor ice. Contributing factors were the weather conditions conducive for carburetor icing and the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing. |
| Jul 07, 2004 | Chemehuevi, CA | N734PW | Minor | substantial |
the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control…the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. |
| Mar 10, 2004 | Knoxville, TN | N6257F | Minor | substantial |
The CFI's inadequate in-flight planning/decision and his inadequate supervision which resulted in fuel exhaustion. A factor was the inadequate prefli…The CFI's inadequate in-flight planning/decision and his inadequate supervision which resulted in fuel exhaustion. A factor was the inadequate preflight planning/preparation to ensure an adequate fuel supply, and the berm. |
| Feb 13, 2004 | Upland, CA | N5107K | Minor | substantial | A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during takeoff. |
| Nov 21, 2003 | La Grange, TX | N739YK | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to properly navigate during the day VFR cross-country flight, which resulted in the pilot becoming disoriented. |
| Nov 09, 2003 | Philippi, WV | N738UL | Minor | substantial | The pilot's improper decision to depart from a runway of insufficient length. Factors in the accident were the turf runway and tailwind condition. |
| Oct 19, 2003 | Everglades City, FL | N933JH | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's improper preflight planning/preparation which resulted in the airplane's gust lock being left installed, which resulted in the airplane no…The pilot's improper preflight planning/preparation which resulted in the airplane's gust lock being left installed, which resulted in the airplane not being able lift off during the takeoff roll, and damage to the airplane when it overran the runway and crashed into the water at the end of the runway. |
| Jul 02, 2003 | Linden, NJ | N314TM | Minor | substantial | The mechanic's improper installation of the carburetor, and his failure to secure the mixture control wire to the mixture control arm pivot bolt. |
| May 29, 2003 | Hampton, GA | N140PF | Minor | substantial | The certified flight instructor's failure to maintain clearance from the runway during a low pass. A factor was gusty wind conditions. |
| May 17, 2003 | PAYSON, AZ | N739NS | Minor | substantial |
the pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, failure to retract the flaps during an aborted landing attempt, failure to maintain an adequat…the pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, failure to retract the flaps during an aborted landing attempt, failure to maintain an adequate airspeed, and failure to maintain directional control. A factor in the accident was the high density altitude. |