Cessna 172N Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 1178 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 31, 2002 | Porter, TX | N1317E | Minor | substantial | The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. |
| Jun 21, 2002 | Rutland, VT | N739RS | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff attempt. |
| Jun 03, 2002 | Alhambra, CA | N6629E | Minor | substantial |
the pilot's miscalculated fuel consumption, failure to verify the fuel supply on board, and his failure to refuel the airplane prior to takeoff, which…the pilot's miscalculated fuel consumption, failure to verify the fuel supply on board, and his failure to refuel the airplane prior to takeoff, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. |
| Sep 01, 2001 | Sheldon, IA | N5593E | Minor | substantial |
the in-flight planning/decision and proper touchdown point not attained by the pilot. Contributing factors were the ingested exhaust valve and lack o…the in-flight planning/decision and proper touchdown point not attained by the pilot. Contributing factors were the ingested exhaust valve and lack of experience of the pilot. |
| Aug 02, 2001 | Covington, GA | N3467E | Minor | substantial |
The flight instructor's improper monitoring of the dual student during a simulated engine out approach and her delayed decision to initiate a go-aroun…The flight instructor's improper monitoring of the dual student during a simulated engine out approach and her delayed decision to initiate a go-around resulting in the airplane colliding with trees at the departure end of the runway during the go-around. |
| Jul 31, 2001 | Cojimar, CU | N734SP | Minor | substantial | Investigation pending |
| May 28, 2001 | Georgetown, TX | N5447J | Minor | substantial |
the pilot's failure to refuel the aircraft resulting in fuel exhaustion during cruise flight. A contributing factor was the gusty wind encountered du…the pilot's failure to refuel the aircraft resulting in fuel exhaustion during cruise flight. A contributing factor was the gusty wind encountered during the forced landing. |
| May 12, 2001 | ASHLAND, ME | N1674E | Minor | substantial | loss of partial engine power due to carburetor icing. |
| Apr 30, 2001 | Marfa, TX | N6388F | Minor | substantial |
fuel exhaustion resulting in a total loss of engine power in cruise flight due to the pilot's failure to refuel the aircraft. Contributing factors we…fuel exhaustion resulting in a total loss of engine power in cruise flight due to the pilot's failure to refuel the aircraft. Contributing factors were the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing, and the dark night condition. |
| Nov 02, 2000 | RIDGEFIELD, CT | N4654G | Minor | destroyed | The pilot's failure to verify the airplane's fuel tank selector position, which resulted in a loss of engine power. |
| Aug 09, 2000 | GLENEDEN BEACH, OR | N737CM | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's failure to remove the control lock during his preflight inspection. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's failure to foll…The pilot's failure to remove the control lock during his preflight inspection. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's failure to follow the BEFORE TAKEOFF checklist, trees beyond the upwind end of the runway, and the pilot's self-induced pressure. |
| Jul 12, 2000 | COLUMBUS, TX | N3392E | Minor | substantial |
the failure of both magnetos of the dual-magneto single-drive unit. A factor contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for the fo…the failure of both magnetos of the dual-magneto single-drive unit. A factor contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. |
| May 29, 2000 | PLAINWELL, MI | N5200K | Minor | destroyed |
the pilot exceeded the proper touchdown point during the landing. Factors associated with the accident were the fence and the ditch which the airplan…the pilot exceeded the proper touchdown point during the landing. Factors associated with the accident were the fence and the ditch which the airplane contacted. |
| May 16, 2000 | TAPPAHANNOCK, VA | N1655E | Minor | substantial | the pilots's inability to maintain aircraft control after a loss of consciosness. |
| Dec 17, 1999 | CONCORD, CA | N738UA | Minor | substantial | the pilot's failure to use a checklist and remove the control gust lock. |
| Dec 12, 1999 | SPRINGHILL, LA | N739ST | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. Factors were the gusty winds, and the pilo…The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. Factors were the gusty winds, and the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation. |
| Jul 06, 1999 | ADDISON, IL | N739ND | Minor | substantial | The pilot's improper fuel selector positioning resulting in fuel starvation during cruise. |
| 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. |
| Feb 20, 1999 | EL MONTE, CA | N5174D | Minor | destroyed |
An in-flight fuel fire in the left forward doorpost due to an electrical arc from an adjacent map light switch puncturing a main fuel feed line. The …An in-flight fuel fire in the left forward doorpost due to an electrical arc from an adjacent map light switch puncturing a main fuel feed line. The manufacturer's inadequate design in routing the fuel line in close proximity to electrical arc sources in the doorpost is causal. A factor in the accident is the probable failure of the doorpost internal component configuration to conform to original design specifications due to aircraft aging issues. |
| Nov 08, 1998 | LIMA, SC | N4696G | Minor | destroyed | The flight instructor's intentional flight into Instrument Meteorological Conditions. Factors were trees and mountainous terrain. |
| Jul 24, 1998 | NEW LENOX, IL | N4813D | Minor | substantial | Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Aug 25, 1997 | KENWOOD, CA | N733QD | Minor | substantial | the pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a forced landing, due to an inadequate supply of fuel. |
| Jul 07, 1997 | JOSHUA TREE, CA | N738ET | Minor | substantial |
failure of the pilot to adequately judge the wind direction and to select the correct runway, which resulted in a downwind landing; and his failure to…failure of the pilot to adequately judge the wind direction and to select the correct runway, which resulted in a downwind landing; and his failure to go around, while there was sufficient runway remaining. The tailwind, fence, and ditch were related factors. |