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 30, 2014 Thermal, CA N738TJ Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing after an encounter with a dust devil.
Jul 16, 2014 Rockville, IN N13SK Incident substantial
A partial loss of engine power due to a failure of the dual magneto system. Contributing to the accident was the improper maintenance of the duel magn…

A partial loss of engine power due to a failure of the dual magneto system. Contributing to the accident was the improper maintenance of the duel magneto system.

Jul 10, 2014 Edgewood, NM N4842G Incident substantial The pilot's in-flight loss of control resulting from a crosswind gust encountered immediately after takeoff.
Jul 08, 2014 Edgewater, MD N7368F Incident substantial
The pilot's inadvertent encounter with an unanticipated convective gust front or low-level wind shear while landing, which resulted in a loss of contr…

The pilot's inadvertent encounter with an unanticipated convective gust front or low-level wind shear while landing, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent hard landing.

Jun 08, 2014 Page, AZ N5589E Incident substantial
The pilot’s improper landing flare in gusting wind conditions, his inadequate recovery from the subsequent bounced landing, and his decision to perfor…

The pilot’s improper landing flare in gusting wind conditions, his inadequate recovery from the subsequent bounced landing, and his decision to perform a go-around with insufficient airspeed to climb.

Jun 03, 2014 Padre Island, TX N734BY Incident substantial The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Mar 21, 2014 Marine City, MI N739RX Incident substantial The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Mar 08, 2014 Charlottesville, VA N5423J Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and substantial damage to the firewall.
Dec 13, 2013 Farmingdale, NJ N2854E Incident substantial The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Sep 09, 2013 Long Beach, CA N42EP Incident substantial The total loss of engine power during initial climb due to debris within the carburetor mixture metering sleeve.
Aug 26, 2013 Miami, FL N5232D Incident substantial The pilot’s incapacitation due to a seizure during taxi.
Aug 03, 2013 Knoxville, TN N737PD Incident substantial The student pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Jul 31, 2013 Mesquite, TX N738RQ Incident substantial
The student pilot failed to maintain directional control during the touch-and-go landing and during the subsequent aborted takeoff during crosswind co…

The student pilot failed to maintain directional control during the touch-and-go landing and during the subsequent aborted takeoff during crosswind conditions.

Jul 25, 2013 Tell City, IN N3012E Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from an obstruction while taxiing.
May 10, 2013 Newcastle, WY N7610F Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point, which resulted in an undershoot of the runway.
Apr 28, 2013 Henderson, NV N3483E Incident substantial
The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning, including operating in excess of the maximum certified gross weight and center of gravity limits at a high …

The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning, including operating in excess of the maximum certified gross weight and center of gravity limits at a high density altitude, which resulted in the airplane’s inability to maintain a positive rate of climb after takeoff.

Apr 28, 2013 New Orleans, LA N737FK Incident substantial The pilot's failure to perform a steep climb before going around following a low pass for a banner tow pickup.
Apr 20, 2013 Stow, MA N739CK Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusty wind conditions.
Mar 30, 2013 Bally, PA N4601D Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
Dec 01, 2012 McKinney, TX N737TY Incident substantial The pilot’s inadequate flare, which resulted in a hard nosewheel landing.
Nov 18, 2012 Poplar Grove, IL N4811G Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing.
Nov 15, 2012 Moline, IL N6231F Incident substantial The student pilot's misjudgment of the landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing.
Sep 16, 2012 Eloy, AZ N8293E Incident substantial The pilot's improper flare, and his inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
Jul 25, 2012 Ashland, OR N738AJ Incident substantial The student pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Jul 16, 2012 Rockford, ID N5204K Incident substantial
A partial loss of engine power during cruise flight due to the failure of the No. 3 cylinder exhaust valve for reasons that could not be determined du…

A partial loss of engine power during cruise flight due to the failure of the No. 3 cylinder exhaust valve for reasons that could not be determined due to the damage to the valve head and the missing valve stem. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s improper approach to the runway, which resulted in an aborted landing and subsequent off-airport landing.

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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