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
Jun 09, 2006 Athens, OH N240U Incident substantial The student pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. Factors associated with the accident were the gusty crosswind, and the ditch.
May 01, 2006 Miami, FL N738DW Incident substantial The improper flare by the pilot resulting in a hard landing and substantial damage to the airplane.
Apr 30, 2006 Billings, MT N739AJ Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a sign while taxiing to parking.
Mar 31, 2006 Daytona Beach, FL N172FL Incident substantial The pilot's improper landing flare/touchdown, which resulted in the airplane porpoising and incurring damage.
Feb 12, 2006 New Hudson, MI N222UN Incident substantial
The solo student pilot's failure to properly compensate for the crosswind, resulting in his failure to maintain directional control during landing. F…

The solo student pilot's failure to properly compensate for the crosswind, resulting in his failure to maintain directional control during landing. Factors were the crosswind and the snow bank.

Feb 11, 2006 Sacramento, CA N739GY Incident substantial the failure of the pilot of the other airplane to maintain an adequate clearance from obstacles while taxiing.
Jan 31, 2006 Snohomish, WA N492SF Incident substantial
Carburetor heat was not used during the initial climb in probable serious carburetor icing conditions during cruise power. Carburetor icing condition…

Carburetor heat was not used during the initial climb in probable serious carburetor icing conditions during cruise power. Carburetor icing conditions and wet terrain were factors.

Dec 22, 2005 La Verne, CA N738AH Incident
the failure of the pilot of the other aircraft to comply with his air traffic control clearance and line up for the proper runway, and his failure to …

the failure of the pilot of the other aircraft to comply with his air traffic control clearance and line up for the proper runway, and his failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout, which resulted in his in-flight collision with the Cessna airplane.

Nov 09, 2005 Arlington, TX N5437J Incident substantial The students improper recovery from a bounced landing. A contributing factor was the pilots excessive airspeed on final approach.
Nov 07, 2005 Perry, GA N3015E Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a touch-and-go landing on initial takeoff climb, resulting in a hard landing on the departure …

The student pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a touch-and-go landing on initial takeoff climb, resulting in a hard landing on the departure runway.

Nov 06, 2005 Sherman, TX N2884E Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Oct 02, 2005 Punta Gorda, FL N952AC Incident substantial The in-flight collision with a bird resulting in substantial damage to the airplane.
Aug 22, 2005 Ramona, CA N734MY Incident substantial the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Aug 17, 2005 Cedar City, UT N9892J Incident substantial the loss of engine power for reasons undetermined. Contributing factors include the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing, and the soft dirt.
Jul 20, 2005 North Las Vegas, NV N4961D Incident substantial the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control.
Jun 19, 2005 Hudson, CO N733RL Incident substantial
The flight instructor's improper use raising of the flaps. Contributing factors were the student pilot's misunderstanding of the instructor's intenti…

The flight instructor's improper use raising of the flaps. Contributing factors were the student pilot's misunderstanding of the instructor's intentions, the instructor's inadequate supervision of the student pilot, the density altitude, and the soft terrain.

Jun 13, 2005 Madison, WI N6454J Incident substantial
The pilot's improper pre-flight which resulted in the control lock not being removed and his subsequent inability to control the airplane. The unmark…

The pilot's improper pre-flight which resulted in the control lock not being removed and his subsequent inability to control the airplane. The unmarked control lock and the FBO's failure to replace the unmarked control lock were factors in the accident.

May 30, 2005 Stockton, CA N172MR Incident substantial the pilot's improper use of the brakes, and his failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout.
Apr 27, 2005 Palo Alto, CA N737WF Incident substantial The student's failure to maintain directional control and the CFI's failure to adequately supervise the flight.
Apr 17, 2005 Wellington, OH N1086F Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point, and his failure to initiate a go-around, which resulted in an overrun during landing. A fac…

The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point, and his failure to initiate a go-around, which resulted in an overrun during landing. A factor in the accident was the tail wind.

Apr 01, 2005 San Jose, CA N4789G Incident substantial the student pilot's misjudged landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Mar 18, 2005 Rio Grande City, TX N6372D Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from objects, and his improper compensation for wind conditions while landing. A contributing factor was th…

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from objects, and his improper compensation for wind conditions while landing. A contributing factor was the gusty wind condition.

Feb 10, 2005 Grafton, ND N2291E Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions which resulted in a loss of directional control during the landing. Factors associated wi…

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions which resulted in a loss of directional control during the landing. Factors associated with the accident were the crosswind condition and the snow bank.

Feb 03, 2005 Idaho Falls, ID N5204K Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control and the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. A contributing factor was the …

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control and the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. A contributing factor was the deep snow beside the runway.

Feb 02, 2005 Loveland, CO N618MN Incident substantial
The dual student's improper flare and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision.. A contributing factor was the inadequate communication between…

The dual student's improper flare and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision.. A contributing factor was the inadequate communication between the flight instructor and the dual student,

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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