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 02, 1998 DETROIT LAKES, MN N6703E Incident substantial An inadequate preflight inspection by the pilot which resulted in fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power.
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 15, 1998 CORD, AR N6323G Fatal (1) substantial The pilot's performance of low altitude flight and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance.
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 24, 1998 NEW LENOX, IL N4813D Minor substantial Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Jul 16, 1998 BROOMFIELD, CO N172AT Incident substantial The pilot's improper landing flare which resulted in a hard landing.
Jul 11, 1998 LINCOLN, TX N5632E Serious (3) destroyed
The #3 cylinder exhaust valve rocker arm fulcrum retaining stud backing out of its stud-tapped hole due to the improper tapping of the stud hole by un…

The #3 cylinder exhaust valve rocker arm fulcrum retaining stud backing out of its stud-tapped hole due to the improper tapping of the stud hole by unknown maintenance personnel. Contributing factors were the transmission wire, sign and gasoline pump.

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.
Jul 06, 1998 OLIVE BRANCH, MS N739ZA Incident substantial the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff.
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.

Jun 22, 1998 OCEAN CITY, MD N5944E Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft due to spatial disorientation. Contributing factors wer fog, dark night conditions, lack of r…

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft due to spatial disorientation. Contributing factors wer fog, dark night conditions, lack of recent experience, inadequate preflight planning, and flight into known adverse weather.

Jun 04, 1998 PRINDLE, WA N6234D Fatal (3) destroyed
The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during attempted flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors contribu…

The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during attempted flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors contributing to the accident were clouds, dark night conditions, spatial disorientation, and drug impairment.

May 11, 1998 HANNIBAL, MO N733HY Minor substantial a loss of engine power due to undetermined reasons. A factor was the rough field in which the forced landing was made.
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 07, 1998 AVALON, CA N6514E Fatal (4) destroyed The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance in a Blind/Box Canyon. A related factor was the mountainous/hilly terrain.
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.
Mar 05, 1998 TITUSVILLE, FL N8342E Minor substantial
loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s), which resulted in a forced landing. Factors relating to the accident were: the lack of suitable terr…

loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s), which resulted in a forced landing. Factors relating to the accident were: the lack of suitable terrain and obstructions in the emergency landing area.

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.

Dec 16, 1997 MCKINNEY, TX N1371E Serious (3) substantial
The pilot's inadequate in-flight/planning decision which resulted in continued flight until fuel exhaustion. Related factors were incorrect fuel gaug…

The pilot's inadequate in-flight/planning decision which resulted in continued flight until fuel exhaustion. Related factors were incorrect fuel gauge readings and trees.

Dec 07, 1997 LYTLE CREEK, CA N3548E Fatal (2) destroyed
the non-instrument rated pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and subsequent loss of aircraft control, due …

the non-instrument rated pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and subsequent loss of aircraft control, due to spatial disorientation. Factors relating to the accident were: the adverse weather conditions (low ceiling and fog), and the pilot's lack of instrument experience.

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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