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
Apr 03, 2011 Colorado Springs, CO N3484E Incident substantial The pilot loss of directional control during landing in gusty crosswind conditions.
Mar 31, 2011 Appleton, WI N73836 Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff.
Mar 26, 2011 Graham, TX N9961E Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Mar 21, 2011 Spanish Fork, UT N739DG Serious (1) substantial
The student pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusting wind, which resulted in a loss of airplane control during landing. Contributing to the acc…

The student pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusting wind, which resulted in a loss of airplane control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to depart with a high gusting wind.

Feb 27, 2011 Welch, WV N739NY Serious (2) substantial
The unlicensed pilot’s decision to land on a closed runway with a tailwind, his failure to attain the proper touchdown point, and his delayed decision…

The unlicensed pilot’s decision to land on a closed runway with a tailwind, his failure to attain the proper touchdown point, and his delayed decision to attempt a go-around, resulting in a collision with trees.

Feb 25, 2011 Andrews, TX N739BL Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an emergency descent, following a loss of engine power, which resulted in an inadvertent stal…

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an emergency descent, following a loss of engine power, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.

Feb 12, 2011 Poplar Grove, IL N733TM Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff.
Jan 15, 2011 Lebanon, TN N1946F Incident substantial The student pilot´s failure to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff, resulting in a runway excursion.
Nov 21, 2010 Bluffton, SC N882AV Minor substantial An in-flight upset of undetermined origin resulting in a forced landing.
Nov 14, 2010 Gaithersburg, MD N249ER Incident substantial The student pilot's inadequate use of the rudder, and subsequent loss of directional control.
Oct 15, 2010 Malaga, CO HK4631 Fatal (4) destroyed Investigation pending
Oct 02, 2010 Salem, OR N545DS Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Oct 01, 2010 Wabash, IN N2140E Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed during the landing and certificated flight instructor's failure to execute a go-around.
Aug 15, 2010 USA N44WH Minor substantial A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Jul 31, 2010 Elk Creek, VA N172FL Incident substantial The student pilot’s continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an off-airport landing.
Jul 30, 2010 Perry, GA N1351E Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a pole while taxiing.
Jul 27, 2010 Stonington, ME N6410F Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing.
Jul 24, 2010 Waynesboro, VA N3480E Incident substantial The pilot's failure to follow the short-field takeoff procedures published in the Pilot's Operating Handbook.
Jul 12, 2010 Palmer, AK N6594D Incident substantial The pilot's decision to fly towards rising terrain that exceeded the climb capability of the airplane.
Jun 21, 2010 Angels Camp, CA N733AS Fatal (1) substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering.
Jun 21, 2010 Broken Hill, AS VH-UFN Fatal (1) substantial Investigation pending
Jun 21, 2010 Maryland Heights, MO N1061X Incident substantial The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Jun 20, 2010 West Milford, NJ N738QZ Serious (1) substantial
The student pilot’s control interference which resulted in a landing with a higher than normal airspeed, and the commercial pilot’s failure to initiat…

The student pilot’s control interference which resulted in a landing with a higher than normal airspeed, and the commercial pilot’s failure to initiate a go-around to avoid the runway overrun.

May 31, 2010 Sterling, MA N6371D Incident substantial
The pilot’s decision to not continue with the go-around, which resulted in a collision with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distra…

The pilot’s decision to not continue with the go-around, which resulted in a collision with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction due to the passenger’s panicked condition.

May 21, 2010 Plattekill, NY N739RK Serious (2) substantial
The pilot's failure to place the fuel selector valve in the appropriate position for takeoff resulting in a partial loss of engine power. Contributing…

The pilot's failure to place the fuel selector valve in the appropriate position for takeoff resulting in a partial loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's attempted takeoff at a higher than allowed gross weight.

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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