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
Aug 18, 1992 NEW BERN, NC N5415J Incident substantial
THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ON THE LANDING ROLL. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE AND THE CROSSWIND C…

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ON THE LANDING ROLL. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE AND THE CROSSWIND CONDITIONS AT THE AIRPORT.

Aug 10, 1992 KEENE, NH N738FW Minor substantial AN INADVERTENT STALL DURING FLAP RETRACTION, FOLLOWING AN ABORTED LANDING.
Jul 25, 1992 PANAMA CITY, FL N733MX Serious (1)
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO STAND CLEAR OF THE PROPELLER AS HE ROTATED IT BY HAND, RESULTING IN THE PROPELLER ROTATING AROUND DUE TO ENGINE COMP…

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO STAND CLEAR OF THE PROPELLER AS HE ROTATED IT BY HAND, RESULTING IN THE PROPELLER ROTATING AROUND DUE TO ENGINE COMPRESSION, STRIKING THE PILOT, CAUSING HIM TO LOSE HIS BALANCE AND FALL TO THE RAMP, RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY.

Jul 18, 1992 LAKE MICHIGAN, MI N4500E Fatal (4) destroyed UNDETERMINED.
Jul 15, 1992 BATES CITY, MO N1324E Incident substantial TOTAL FAILURE OF THE AIRPLANE WINDSHIELD.
Jul 11, 1992 SANFORD, FL N2135E Minor substantial
INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY BOTH PILOTS, WHICH RESULTED IN THEIR FAILURE TO SEE-AND-AVOID OF THE POWER LINE. THE PROXIMITY OF THE POWER LINE WAS A R…

INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY BOTH PILOTS, WHICH RESULTED IN THEIR FAILURE TO SEE-AND-AVOID OF THE POWER LINE. THE PROXIMITY OF THE POWER LINE WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

Jul 07, 1992 ST PAUL, MN N6376F Fatal (4) destroyed
INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOTS OF BOTH AIRPLANES, WHICH RESULTED IN THEIR FAILURE TO SEE-AND-AVOID CONFLICTING TRAFFIC, AND FAILURE OF THE RE…

INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOTS OF BOTH AIRPLANES, WHICH RESULTED IN THEIR FAILURE TO SEE-AND-AVOID CONFLICTING TRAFFIC, AND FAILURE OF THE RELIEVING CONTROLLERS TO USE THE RADAR DISPLAY TO IDENTIFY AND SEQUENCE AN AIRPLANE ENTERING THE PATTERN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: AN INADEQUATE BRIEFING BY THE OFF-GOING CONTROLLER, AND INACCURATE POSITION REPORTS BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND OF N5279R.

Jul 04, 1992 CHESTERFIELD, MO N734VF Incident substantial THE IMPROPER USE OF THE AIRCRAFT BRAKE SYSTEM BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.
Jun 26, 1992 HAYWARD, CA N9447E Incident substantial THE STUDENT PILOT'S MISJUDGING THE LANDING FLARE, THE CFI'S DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION AND HIS FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY SUPERVISE THE CONDUCT OF THE FLIGHT.
Jun 09, 1992 DEXTER, ME N19801 Incident substantial A FAILURE OF THE TOP TORQUE LINK BOLT ON THE NOSE LANDING GEAR WHICH RESULTED IN A LANDING WITH A FLAT STRUT AND MISALIGNED WHEEL.
Jun 01, 1992 BROOKEVILLE, MD N738YV Fatal (3) substantial
IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (PIC/CFI) IN THE CESSNA 172, HIS MISJUDGEMENT OF DISTANCE BETWEEN THE TWO AIRPLANES, AND …

IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (PIC/CFI) IN THE CESSNA 172, HIS MISJUDGEMENT OF DISTANCE BETWEEN THE TWO AIRPLANES, AND INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY BOTH PILOTS IN THE CESSNA 172.

May 22, 1992 ST FRANCIS, ME N739GM Serious (1) destroyed FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. THE WIND CONDITION WAS A RELATED FACTOR.
May 04, 1992 PARKDALE, OR N5096E Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT FOR LANDING. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT DIRT RUNWAY SURFACE.
Apr 26, 1992 GRANTS PASS, OR N9403E Minor substantial A FAILURE TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALIGNMENT, AND A DELAYED GO-AROUND. FACTORS INCLUDE A CROSSWIND, GUSTS, AND A FENCE IN THE GO-AROUND PATH.
Apr 23, 1992 NEW MADISON, OH N733XP Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN A PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT INADEQUATELY PLANNED HIS APPROACH AND HIS FAILURE …

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN A PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT INADEQUATELY PLANNED HIS APPROACH AND HIS FAILURE TO PERFORM A GO-AROUND.

Apr 23, 1992 BRYAN, OH N734KW Minor substantial
THE FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING ROLL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL …

THE FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING ROLL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE AND LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE.

Apr 18, 1992 BLAINE HILL, PA N172DG Serious (1) destroyed A LEAKING FUEL LINE WHICH RESULTED IN A POWER LOSS AND INFLIGHT FIRE. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ROLLING TERRAIN.
Apr 14, 1992 SIDNEY, OH N5085G Incident substantial
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRPLANE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AFTER LANDING, WHICH RESULTED IN A DEPARTURE FROM THE RUNWAY AND ENCOUNTER WITH ROUG…

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRPLANE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AFTER LANDING, WHICH RESULTED IN A DEPARTURE FROM THE RUNWAY AND ENCOUNTER WITH ROUGH TERRAIN.

Apr 05, 1992 CLAREMONT, CA N1333E Serious (2) substantial
THE PILOTS IMPROPER PREFLIGHT AND INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISIONS, HIS CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO INITIATE TIMELY REMEDI…

THE PILOTS IMPROPER PREFLIGHT AND INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISIONS, HIS CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO INITIATE TIMELY REMEDIAL ACTIONS.

Mar 31, 1992 PRESCOTT, AZ N267ER Incident substantial
THE OTHER AIRPLANE'S FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S POOR SUPERVISION OF THE FLIGHT; THE OTHER AIRPLANE'S FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S AND DUAL STUDENT'S MISIDENTIFICATION…

THE OTHER AIRPLANE'S FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S POOR SUPERVISION OF THE FLIGHT; THE OTHER AIRPLANE'S FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S AND DUAL STUDENT'S MISIDENTIFICATION OF THE AIRPLANE THE STUDENT PILOT WAS FOLLOWING AND THE OTHER AIRPLANE'S FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S AND DUAL STUDENT'S POOR VISUAL LOOKOUT.

Mar 26, 1992 ANCHORAGE, AK N733PU Incident substantial DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: INADEQUATE RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING.
Feb 10, 1992 PARSHALL, CO N737BY Incident substantial
IMPROPER USE OF POWERPLANT CONTROLS BY THE DUEL STUDENT AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE CFI. FACTORS WERE: CARBURETOR HEAT NOT USED, DEEP SNOW COVER…

IMPROPER USE OF POWERPLANT CONTROLS BY THE DUEL STUDENT AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE CFI. FACTORS WERE: CARBURETOR HEAT NOT USED, DEEP SNOW COVERED TERRAIN, AND CARBURETOR ICE CONDITIONS.

Jan 29, 1992 COTTONWOOD, AZ N6087D Minor substantial
THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AND PREMATURE RAISING OF THE FLAPS. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A B…

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AND PREMATURE RAISING OF THE FLAPS. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING, LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE, AND THE INADVERTENT STALL.

Jan 14, 1992 ALBUQUERQUE, NM N4885G Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING. A FACTOR WAS HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.
Jan 12, 1992 SHOW LOW, AZ N1571E Incident substantial
THE FAILURE OF THE CARBURETOR HEAT BOX ATTACH STRAPS WHICH ALLOWED THE CARBURETOR HEAT BOX TO SEPARATE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT MUFF AND RENDERED …

THE FAILURE OF THE CARBURETOR HEAT BOX ATTACH STRAPS WHICH ALLOWED THE CARBURETOR HEAT BOX TO SEPARATE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT MUFF AND RENDERED THE CARBURETOR HEAT SYSTEM INOPERATIVE. THE ENGINE THEN LOST POWER DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE.

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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