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
Jan 04, 2016 Wayne, NE N5104D Fatal (1) substantial
The noninstrument-rated pilot's improper decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision w…

The noninstrument-rated pilot's improper decision to continue visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with terrain.

Dec 03, 2015 Boca Raton, FL N5185D Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing touchdown resulting in a runway excursion, a collision with an object, and an i…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing touchdown resulting in a runway excursion, a collision with an object, and an impact with terrain.

Nov 14, 2015 Gorliz, SP EC-HKH Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Oct 11, 2015 Miami Beach, FL N733VB Incident substantial A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not recovered from the ocean after the ditching.
Sep 16, 2015 Herington, KS N909HC Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing roll, which resulted in a porpoise.
Aug 19, 2015 Kalispell, MT N733NH Incident substantial The pilot's loss of directional control, which resulted in a runway excursion, and collision with runway and taxiway lights and terrain.
Aug 09, 2015 Bajo Baudo, CO TI-BAA Fatal (3) destroyed Investigation pending
Aug 03, 2015 Miami, FL N6223D Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain pitch control resulting in a hard landing and damage to the airplane firewall.
Jul 03, 2015 Lubbock, TX N6326J Incident substantial The student pilot's improper flare during landing which resulted in abnormal runway contact and damage to the firewall.
Jun 26, 2015 Vernal, UT N3159E Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and an impact with an…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and an impact with an airport sign.

Jan 26, 2015 Makaha, HI N422BP Minor substantial A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was ditched and not recovered.
Jan 17, 2015 Ualapue, HI N5660E Serious (1) substantial A partial loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not recovered.
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.
Aug 17, 2014 Natchitoches, LA N734YW Fatal (1) substantial
The partial loss of engine power due to the exhaust valve rocker retaining stud backing out of the cylinder head, which resulted in the exhaust valve …

The partial loss of engine power due to the exhaust valve rocker retaining stud backing out of the cylinder head, which resulted in the exhaust valve being stuck in the closed position. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to configure the airplane and fly it in a manner that would allow him to make the emergency landing in the field rather than overfly it, and the pilot’s failure to have the engine overhauled according to the recommended overhaul interval.

Aug 06, 2014 Valkaria, FL N9400E Minor substantial
The pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance on final approach during a precautionary landing, resulting in a touchdown off the departure end of the …

The pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance on final approach during a precautionary landing, resulting in a touchdown off the departure end of the runway and collision with terrain. A factor in the accident was a partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined in post accident testing.

Jul 20, 2014 Elliott Key, FL N737TP Fatal (1) destroyed
The airplane’s vertical descent into water for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident airplane examinations revealed no mechanical …

The airplane’s vertical descent into water for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident airplane examinations revealed no mechanical anomalies.

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 16, 2014 Murphysboro, IL N737SY Incident substantial A hard landing by person(s) unknown.
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 09, 2014 Premana Lecco, IT I-SIPI Fatal (3) destroyed <br /><br />
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.
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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