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
Jun 04, 1994 VALENCIA, CA N734ZK Minor substantial the pilot's selection of an unsuitable field for an off-airport landing and attempted takeoff.
May 31, 1994 ROOSEVELT, AZ N6305J Fatal (1) destroyed
the pilot's selection of an inadequate terrain clearance altitude while maneuvering over a lake. A factor in the accident was the calm glassy water c…

the pilot's selection of an inadequate terrain clearance altitude while maneuvering over a lake. A factor in the accident was the calm glassy water conditions which may have affected the pilot's perception of his actual height above the water.

May 28, 1994 RICHMOND, IN N733DW Fatal (1) destroyed INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOTS OF BOTH AIRPLANES.
May 26, 1994 HARTFORD, AL N73846 Incident substantial
THE STUDENT PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR GUSTING WIND CONDITIONS DURING THE APPROACH TO LAND. FACTORS WERE THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S INADEQUATE SU…

THE STUDENT PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR GUSTING WIND CONDITIONS DURING THE APPROACH TO LAND. FACTORS WERE THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF HIS STUDENT, THE GUSTING WIND CONDITIONS, AND THE TREES LOCATED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE RUNWAY.

May 24, 1994 FREDERICKSBURG, VA N737SE Incident substantial
The pilot's premature lift-off, resulting in an inadvertent stall/mush back onto the runway, and the pilot's failure to maintain directional control d…

The pilot's premature lift-off, resulting in an inadvertent stall/mush back onto the runway, and the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the aborted takeoff, which resulted in the airplane veering off the runway and colliding with a dirt bank. A factor in this accident was the pilot's lack of recent flying experience.

May 24, 1994 MACKINAC ISLAND, MI N3558E Incident substantial
EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED AND A FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT ON THE RUNWAY. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE WET RUNWAY AND THE FENC…

EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED AND A FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT ON THE RUNWAY. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE WET RUNWAY AND THE FENCE WHICH WAS CONTACTED.

May 23, 1994 PAGE, AZ N1422E Minor substantial THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASON. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN AT THE PILOT'S DISPOSAL.
May 16, 1994 ARVIN, CA N738VE Minor substantial a fatigue failure of the crankshaft gear teeth.
Apr 30, 1994 MONARCH, MT N739CW Minor substantial POOR IN FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS DOWNDRAFTS.
Apr 22, 1994 SEDONA, AZ N2946E Incident substantial THE CFI'S IMPROPER LEVEL OFF DURING LANDING. THE TAILWIND WAS A FACTOR.
Apr 13, 1994 CRESCENT CITY, FL N8196G Incident substantial THE PILOT'S IMPROPER DESCENT RATE, AND THE CHECK PILOT'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION. THE GLASSY WATER CONDITION WAS A FACTOR.
Apr 09, 1994 JULIAN, CA N6242D Fatal (1) destroyed IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT(S). FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE HIGH/MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Apr 07, 1994 CLARKSBURG, WV N739HC Incident substantial the pilot's selection of a downwind runway, and his inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. A factor was the gusting tailwind.
Apr 03, 1994 GASQUET, CA N6290D Serious (1) destroyed THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSS- WIND CONDITIONS, AND TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALIGNMENT WITH THE RUNWAY.
Mar 26, 1994 STUART, FL N6HV Incident substantial POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS WIND INFORMATION DISREGARDED BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND.
Mar 04, 1994 PRESCOTT, AZ N487ER Serious (2) substantial
THE STUDENT PILOT'S DELAYED FLARE AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF T…

THE STUDENT PILOT'S DELAYED FLARE AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE FLIGHT.

Feb 16, 1994 GEORGETOWN, AR N737ZY Incident substantial
A CARBURETOR ICING INDUCED POWER LOSS DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT IN CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING. A FACTOR WAS THE…

A CARBURETOR ICING INDUCED POWER LOSS DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT IN CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN ONTO WHICH A FORCED LANDING COULD BE EXECUTED.

Feb 04, 1994 OPA-LOCKA, FL N9003E Incident minor
INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION AND LUBRICATION OF THE FLAP ROLLERS WHICH RESULTED IN THE LEFT FLAP INBOARD ROLLER BECOMING JAMMED IN THE TRACK DURI…

INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION AND LUBRICATION OF THE FLAP ROLLERS WHICH RESULTED IN THE LEFT FLAP INBOARD ROLLER BECOMING JAMMED IN THE TRACK DURING FLAP RETRACTION.

Jan 25, 1994 LIVERMORE, CA N6375D Incident substantial
THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL AND HIS IMPROPER USE OF THE RUDDER. THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO RAISE THE FLAPS, THE PREVAILING…

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL AND HIS IMPROPER USE OF THE RUDDER. THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO RAISE THE FLAPS, THE PREVAILING 90-DEGREE CROSSWIND, AND HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE ARE FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT.

Jan 02, 1994 PEARLAND, TX N739TL Fatal (5) destroyed
INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT OF THE HAWK BM-4, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO SEE-AND-AVOID THE CESSNA 172. THE BM-4 PILOT'S NON-STANDARD …

INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT OF THE HAWK BM-4, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO SEE-AND-AVOID THE CESSNA 172. THE BM-4 PILOT'S NON-STANDARD PROCEDURE FOR ENTERING THE TRAFFIC PATTERN WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

Dec 30, 1993 EL MONTE, CA N7553E Incident substantial THE PILOT'S DELAYED DECISION TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF AND IMPROPER USE OF THE AIRPLANE'S THROTTLE.
Dec 17, 1993 BAR HARBOR, ME N5753E Incident substantial A DISCONNECTED FUEL LINE WITH THE CARBURETOR NOT INSTALLED, AND IMPROPER DISPATCH OF THE AIRCRAFT.
Nov 27, 1993 ALBUQUERQUE, NM N4759G Incident substantial THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE.
Nov 15, 1993 FORT COLLINS, CO N4829E Serious (1) destroyed
POWER LOSS DUE TO THROTTLE LINKAGE DISCONNECT. FACTORS WERE MISSING COTTER KEY, IMPROPER MAINTENANCE, AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED …

POWER LOSS DUE TO THROTTLE LINKAGE DISCONNECT. FACTORS WERE MISSING COTTER KEY, IMPROPER MAINTENANCE, AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

Oct 30, 1993 JOSHUA TREE, CA N8279E Incident substantial the pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate on final approach. A factor in the accident was the student's limited total 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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