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
May 18, 1997 ANGOLA, IN N5685E Minor substantial
the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. Factors associated with the accident were the tailwind, the pilot's selection of runway, and th…

the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. Factors associated with the accident were the tailwind, the pilot's selection of runway, and the misjudged landing flare.

Dec 27, 1996 MANVILLE, NJ N738UW Minor substantial The pilot's failure to perform a go-around, and his failure to retract the flaps in increments.
Aug 09, 1996 ENUMCLAW, WA N738PM Minor substantial
failure of the engine magneto drive, which resulted in a loss of engine power. The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a related factor…

failure of the engine magneto drive, which resulted in a loss of engine power. The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a related factor.

Aug 01, 1996 VICTORIA, MS N737DK Minor substantial The pilot's improper fuel management resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Jul 05, 1996 HILLSBOROUGH, NC N75814 Minor substantial The failure of the magneto impulse coupling spring. A factor was the power line at the approach end of the forced landing site.
May 13, 1996 CRYSTAL LAKE, IL N738CS Minor substantial the pilot not flying a proper glidepath for the displaced runway threshold.
Jan 08, 1996 LANTANA, FL N800PB Minor substantial Loss of engine power for an undetermined reason, while over water, which resulted in a forced landing/ditching at sea.
Dec 17, 1995 BRYCEVILLE, FL N75938 Minor substantial
The pilot's improper planning/decision. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's inaccurate evaluation of the weather conditions, the pilot…

The pilot's improper planning/decision. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's inaccurate evaluation of the weather conditions, the pilot becoming lost/disoriented, and the lack of braking action on wet grass during the precautionary landing.

Oct 08, 1995 CROCKETT, TX N738DF Minor substantial
failure of both magnetos to operate properly due to inadequate maintenance by other maintenance personnel. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain …

failure of both magnetos to operate properly due to inadequate maintenance by other maintenance personnel. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain available for the forced landing.

Sep 09, 1995 KERRVILLE, TX N4918G Minor substantial the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation and his failure to use all the available runway. A factor was the dark night.
Sep 01, 1995 BONHAM, TX N5798J Minor substantial THE PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. FACTORS WERE THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Aug 26, 1995 CLARKSTON, MI N738CL Minor substantial the pilot's failure to refuel.
Jul 23, 1995 CARLSBAD, CA N7141J Minor substantial
The pilot's poorly planned approach, misjudged distance/altitude, and failure to make a go-around. The pilot inadvertently becoming lost and disorien…

The pilot's poorly planned approach, misjudged distance/altitude, and failure to make a go-around. The pilot inadvertently becoming lost and disoriented was a factor in this accident.

Jan 16, 1995 MERIDIANVILLE, AL N739RN Minor substantial The failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft.
Jul 02, 1994 BRISTOL, NH N734TU Minor substantial
the failure of maintenance personnel to remove an object from the carburetor heat duct during annual inspection which blocked induction air and result…

the failure of maintenance personnel to remove an object from the carburetor heat duct during annual inspection which blocked induction air and resulted in the loss of engine power, and the subsequent collision with the terrain during a forced landing.

Jun 26, 1994 LAMBERTVILLE, MI N5183E Minor substantial the pilot-in-command's not maintaining airspeed. A factor was the pilot-in-command's misjudging the flare.
Jun 04, 1994 VALENCIA, CA N734ZK Minor substantial the pilot's selection of an unsuitable field for an off-airport landing and attempted takeoff.
May 23, 1994 PAGE, AZ N1422E Minor substantial THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASON. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN AT THE PILOT'S DISPOSAL.
May 16, 1994 ARVIN, CA N738VE Minor substantial a fatigue failure of the crankshaft gear teeth.
Apr 30, 1994 MONARCH, MT N739CW Minor substantial POOR IN FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS DOWNDRAFTS.
Oct 24, 1993 WOODVILLE, TX N317BB Minor substantial FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING AN ABORTED LANDING.
Sep 11, 1993 TANGIER ISLAND, VA N5347J Minor substantial FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING A GO-AROUND. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE CROSSWIND CONDITION.
Sep 06, 1993 PRICE, UT N8067E Minor substantial THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED ABOVE STALL.
Jul 29, 1993 MONROE, WA N734DL Minor substantial
THE IMPROPER INFLIGHT DECISION BY THE PIC AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE DARK NIGHT LIGH…

THE IMPROPER INFLIGHT DECISION BY THE PIC AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE DARK NIGHT LIGHT CONDITIONS, UNAVAILABILITY OF RUNWAY LIGHTS, AND LACK OF RECENT NIGHT FLIGHT TIME BY THE PIC.

Jul 19, 1993 ATLANTIC OCEAN, AO N99BW Minor destroyed TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS INACCURATE FUEL COMSUMPTION CALCULATIONS BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND.
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.
← Cessna 172N For Sale All Cessna Models
Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data
View 57 Cessna 172N for sale ↓