Cessna 172N Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 1178 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 07, 1998 | AVALON, CA | N6514E | Fatal (4) | destroyed | The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance in a Blind/Box Canyon. A related factor was the mountainous/hilly terrain. |
| Dec 07, 1997 | LYTLE CREEK, CA | N3548E | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
the non-instrument rated pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and subsequent loss of aircraft control, due …the non-instrument rated pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and subsequent loss of aircraft control, due to spatial disorientation. Factors relating to the accident were: the adverse weather conditions (low ceiling and fog), and the pilot's lack of instrument experience. |
| Nov 24, 1997 | LA JOLLA, CA | N6463D | Fatal (1) | destroyed | the pilot's act of suicide by intentionally diving his aircraft into the ocean. |
| Oct 12, 1997 | TERRE HAUTE, IN | N734WT | Fatal (2) | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a go-around attempt which resulted in an inadvertent stall. |
| Jun 22, 1997 | CUYAMA, CA | N6141D | Fatal (1) | destroyed | undetermined. |
| Jun 15, 1997 | GREENBRIER, AR | N738YG | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a low altitude maneuver. Factors were the pilot's lack of total experience in the type of oper…The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a low altitude maneuver. Factors were the pilot's lack of total experience in the type of operation and inadequate training by the company management. |
| Jun 02, 1997 | COMERIO, PR | N4752D | Fatal (3) | destroyed |
the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in his failure to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from obstructions on rising …the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in his failure to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from obstructions on rising terrain. |
| Jun 14, 1996 | ARLINGTON, TN | N73941 | Fatal (1) | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain clearance above the trees. A factor was the dark night. |
| Jun 09, 1996 | BERMUDA DUNES, CA | N734FB | Fatal (3) | destroyed |
the pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to alcohol and drugs (methamphetamine, amphetamine, & marijuana), his excessive maneuvering (pu…the pilot's impairment of judgment and performance due to alcohol and drugs (methamphetamine, amphetamine, & marijuana), his excessive maneuvering (pull-up) after making a touch-and-go landing, and his failure to maintain sufficient airspeed, which resulted in a stall and subsequent collision with the terrain. |
| Feb 20, 1996 | JULIAN, CA | N738ED | Fatal (3) | destroyed |
the pilot's delay in requesting assistance to avoid high terrain. Factors were: the downdrafts, mountainous terrain, and the pilot's improper in-flig…the pilot's delay in requesting assistance to avoid high terrain. Factors were: the downdrafts, mountainous terrain, and the pilot's improper in-flight planning. |
| Oct 04, 1995 | CATON, NY | N9461E | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
The pilot's improper IFR procedure by failing to maintain proper altitude, while on the initial approach for an ILS. A factor relating to the acciden…The pilot's improper IFR procedure by failing to maintain proper altitude, while on the initial approach for an ILS. A factor relating to the accident was: failure of the tower controller to issue a safety advisory. |
| Jun 19, 1995 | VIDAL JUNCTION, CA | N739KJ | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
The pilot's failure to maintain an altitude adequate to avoid the mountainous/hilly terrain. Contributing to the accident was the glare from the setti…The pilot's failure to maintain an altitude adequate to avoid the mountainous/hilly terrain. Contributing to the accident was the glare from the setting sun. |
| May 28, 1995 | LOVELOCK, NV | N4773E | Fatal (4) | destroyed | the pilot's intentional flight at low altitude and subsequent collision with transmission wires during dusk light conditions. |
| May 27, 1995 | WESTON, WV | N5085G | Fatal (2) | destroyed | the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall, and a subsequent uncontrolled descent and collision with the ground. |
| Apr 22, 1995 | ATLANTA, GA | N3220E | Fatal (1) | substantial |
THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT OF JUDGMENT AND PERFORMANCE DUE TO A DRUG, VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, AND FAILURE TO REMAIN CLEAR OF…THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT OF JUDGMENT AND PERFORMANCE DUE TO A DRUG, VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, AND FAILURE TO REMAIN CLEAR OF THE OBSTACLE (TOWERING SMOKE STACK). FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. |
| Mar 28, 1995 | VENICE, FL | N2196E | Fatal (2) | substantial |
INTENTIONAL VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND, FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL, SPATIAL DISORIENTATION, AND ALTITUDE INADE…INTENTIONAL VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND, FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL, SPATIAL DISORIENTATION, AND ALTITUDE INADEQUATE FOR RECOVERY FOLLOWING THE IN FLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL. |
| Feb 02, 1995 | MINTONVILLE, KY | N734KV | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
THE FLIGHTCREW'S INTENTIONAL VFR FLIGHT INTO KNOWN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. A FACTOR WAS THE INADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO PREVENT AN INADVERTEN…THE FLIGHTCREW'S INTENTIONAL VFR FLIGHT INTO KNOWN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. A FACTOR WAS THE INADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO PREVENT AN INADVERTENT COLLISION WITH AN OBSTRUCTION. |
| Jan 14, 1995 | BLYN, WA | N1535E | Fatal (3) | destroyed | THE PILOT'S VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE DARK NIGHT. |
| Nov 09, 1994 | KLAMATH FALLS, OR | N584WA | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
THE VFR PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE WITH THE MOUN…THE VFR PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE WITH THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN BELOW HIM. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS A DOWNDRAFT. |
| Oct 31, 1994 | GERTON, NC | N5338D | Fatal (4) | destroyed | THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION AND HIS INTENTIONAL VISUAL FLIGHT INTO IMC. |
| Oct 09, 1994 | FANCY GAP, VA | N734NB | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
The pilot's inadequate inflight planning and his failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance. Other related factors are: fog, rain, VFR flight in…The pilot's inadequate inflight planning and his failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance. Other related factors are: fog, rain, VFR flight into IMC, inexperience and mountainous terrain. |
| Oct 08, 1994 | OCHOPEE, FL | N4851D | Fatal (3) | destroyed | THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHILE MANEUVERING RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT UNTIL IMPACT IN A SWAMP. |
| Jul 13, 1994 | TROUT RUN, PA | N3150E | Fatal (2) | destroyed | the delayed decision of the pilot to deviate from known weather which resulted in an inflight loss of control and impact with terrain. |
| 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. |