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 24, 2008 Blue Ash, OH N75528 Incident substantial
The separation of the throttle cable from the linkage during the approach to land and the altitude/clearance not being available to the pilot during t…

The separation of the throttle cable from the linkage during the approach to land and the altitude/clearance not being available to the pilot during the forced landing. Contributing to the accident was the electrical wires the airplane impacted.

May 20, 2008 Palo Alto, CA N6521J Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
Mar 08, 2008 Charlottesville, VA N733LE Incident substantial The pilot's improper engine starting procedures.
Mar 03, 2008 Centre, AL N203GT Incident substantial The pilot's improper landing flare, resulting in a hard landing.
Feb 19, 2008 Perry, GA N3015E Incident substantial The student pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during landing. Contributing to the accident were the gusting winds.
Jan 22, 2008 South St. Paul, MN N738UE Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident were the snow-cover…

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident were the snow-covered runway and the gusty wind conditions.

Dec 18, 2007 Talladega, AL N2180E Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane.
Nov 21, 2007 Hamilton, NJ N172MG Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate fuel consumption calculations which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
Nov 17, 2007 Statesboro, GA N6492E Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain a proper flare at touchdown.
Oct 24, 2007 Grand Junction, CO N1422E Incident substantial the pilot's improper flare resulting in a hard landing.
Oct 20, 2007 Daggett, CA N5323D Incident substantial The flight's encounter with a strong gusty wind condition.
Oct 02, 2007 Green Valley, AZ N6291D Incident substantial The loss of engine power due to the separation of the number three cylinder exhaust rocker arm.
Jul 29, 2007 New Hudson, MI N222UN Incident substantial
The student pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. An additional cause was the pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.…

The student pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. An additional cause was the pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing. Factors in the accident include the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll and the bushes.

Jun 30, 2007 Yorkville, IL N738SV Incident substantial
The inadequate fuel consumption calculations by the pilot, the fuel exhaustion during cruise flight, and the unsuitable landing area encountered by th…

The inadequate fuel consumption calculations by the pilot, the fuel exhaustion during cruise flight, and the unsuitable landing area encountered by the pilot. Contributing factors were the night light conditions and trees.

Jun 26, 2007 Greenwater, WA N733XW Incident substantial
The in-flight encounter with a sudden windshift during the takeoff initial climb, to which the certified flight instructor responded by aborting the t…

The in-flight encounter with a sudden windshift during the takeoff initial climb, to which the certified flight instructor responded by aborting the takeoff and landing off the end of the runway. The ditch was a contributing factor.

Feb 23, 2007 Holland, MI N5321D Incident substantial
The student pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and his failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff, which caus…

The student pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and his failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff, which caused the airplane to impact the snow bank and nose over. Contributing factors were the crosswind and the snow bank along the edge of the runway.

Feb 11, 2007 Pinckneyville, IL N9478E Incident substantial Presence of a deer on the runway resulting in an inadvertent collision during the landing roll.
Dec 24, 2006 Cottonwood Fall, KS N4811G Incident substantial
the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the fence. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability to properly identify the runway envir…

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the fence. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability to properly identify the runway environment, and the improper in-flight decision to initiate a go-around.

Nov 25, 2006 Reidsville, NC N172LF Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing roll, which resulted in an on ground collision with trees.
Nov 22, 2006 Spring, TX N81HT Incident substantial Loss of directional control for undetermined reasons.
Oct 29, 2006 Morgantown, WV N952AC Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control and the flight instructor's improper planning and supervision of the student's solo cross …

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control and the flight instructor's improper planning and supervision of the student's solo cross country flight. A contributing factor was the wind gusts.

Oct 09, 2006 Grand Rapids, MN N739XK Incident substantial
The student pilot's misjudged landing flare and improper recovery from the bounced landing which led to the failure of the nose landing gear. The ove…

The student pilot's misjudged landing flare and improper recovery from the bounced landing which led to the failure of the nose landing gear. The overload failure of the nose landing gear was a factor.

Oct 08, 2006 St Charles, MO N4775D Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to properly judge the landing flare and his inadequate recovery from the resulting bounced landing. A contributing factor was the…

The pilot's failure to properly judge the landing flare and his inadequate recovery from the resulting bounced landing. A contributing factor was the inadvertent pilot induced oscillation (porpoise) after initial runway contact.

Aug 05, 2006 Windsor, NH N73672 Incident substantial
The pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff, which resulted in an overrun and subsequent collision with trees. A factor in the accident was the tailwind…

The pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff, which resulted in an overrun and subsequent collision with trees. A factor in the accident was the tailwind.

Jul 31, 2006 Anchorage, AK N738LJ Incident substantial
The possible loss of engine power during takeoff/initial climb for an unknown reason, which resulted in a forced landing in rough terrain and a nose o…

The possible loss of engine power during takeoff/initial climb for an unknown reason, which resulted in a forced landing in rough terrain and a nose over.

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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