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 25, 2014 Boulder, CO N738LQ Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during final approach with known turbulence present.
Dec 29, 2013 Pacoima, CA N4936D Minor substantial The flight instructor’s inadequate compensation for the gusting crosswind conditions during landing, which resulted in a loss of airplane control.
Dec 13, 2013 Farmingdale, NJ N2854E Incident substantial The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Nov 02, 2013 Loveland, CO N6303E Minor substantial A dragging right brake, which resulted in an un-commanded right turn, and subsequent ground loop.
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.
Jul 16, 2013 Buenos Aires, AR LV-BPP Fatal (2) substantial Investigation pending
May 18, 2013 Geneva, FL N4702F Serious (1) — The passenger’s failure to adhere to the pilot’s instructions to stay away from the front of the airplane when the engine was operating.
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 27, 2013 Dade City, FL N5944J Minor substantial The in-flight loosening of the No. 3 cylinder exhaust valve rocker arm stud, which resulted in a complete loss of engine power.
Apr 20, 2013 Stow, MA N739CK Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusty wind conditions.
Apr 13, 2013 Summersville, WV N6136F Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Mar 30, 2013 Bally, PA N4601D Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
Mar 17, 2013 Gila Bend, AZ N5802J Minor substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during an attempted go-around.
Feb 18, 2013 Okeechobee, FL N6249D Minor substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Feb 05, 2013 Kalskag, AK N5290J Serious (1) substantial
The pilot’s decision to take off into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in a loss of visual reference and the subsequent controlled fli…

The pilot’s decision to take off into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in a loss of visual reference and the subsequent controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the severity of the rear seat passenger’s injuries was the incorrect installation of the rear seat belts.
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 16, 2012 Owls Head, ME N6142F Fatal (3) substantial
The vehicle driver's failure to verify that the runway was not occupied by an airplane before crossing the runway, which resulted in the vehicle being…

The vehicle driver's failure to verify that the runway was not occupied by an airplane before crossing the runway, which resulted in the vehicle being struck by a departing airplane, and the pilot's continued takeoff with flight control damage, which subsequently resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin at low altitude.
Nov 15, 2012 Moline, IL N6231F Incident substantial The student pilot's misjudgment of the landing flare, which resulted in a bounced 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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