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 16, 2010 Blue Hill, ME N733XD Incident substantial The flight instructor’s inability to maintain directional control while landing with gusting winds.
Apr 30, 2010 Tamuning, USA N733SN Serious (1) The failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with the airplane’s propeller while hand-propping.
Apr 24, 2010 Poughkeepsie, NY N5371D Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control on the landing rollout.
Apr 03, 2010 New Hudson, MI N222UN Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout with gusting winds.
Mar 31, 2010 Ankeny, IA N883AV Incident substantial A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate in-flight fuel monitoring.
Feb 14, 2010 Genoa City, WI N24CV Minor substantial
A total loss of engine power due to the failure of the bolts that held in place the connecting rods to the engine's No. 3 and No. 4 cylinders as a res…

A total loss of engine power due to the failure of the bolts that held in place the connecting rods to the engine's No. 3 and No. 4 cylinders as a result of the engine overhaul facility's improper installation of the bolts during a recent overhaul.

Oct 26, 2009 Marysville, OH N4753D Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Oct 07, 2009 San Diego, CA N2219E Incident substantial The pilot’s improper flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
Sep 13, 2009 Hillsville, VA N734TV Minor substantial The total loss of engine power for an undetermined reason.
Jul 30, 2009 Manassas, VA N733BS Incident substantial The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Jul 12, 2009 Rochester, MA N4773G Incident substantial An engine vibration as reported by the pilot, for undetermined reasons.
Jul 02, 2009 Benton, AR N5238E Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Jun 22, 2009 Marysville, OH N734EN Serious (1) substantial The pilot's inability to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll for undetermined reasons.
May 21, 2009 Tunkhannock, PA N9492E Incident substantial The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point while landing with a tailwind.
May 16, 2009 Desert Center, CA N738LF Incident substantial
A partial loss of engine power due to low compression from an obstructed intake valve. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to shut d…

A partial loss of engine power due to low compression from an obstructed intake valve. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to shut down the engine while in flight.

May 12, 2009 Springdale, AR N73842 Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing roll and subsequent go-around.
May 08, 2009 Roanoke, TX N172SV Incident substantial
The partial loss of engine power due to a failure of the throttle control rod-end to carburetor arm hardware. A contributing factor was the pilot's de…

The partial loss of engine power due to a failure of the throttle control rod-end to carburetor arm hardware. A contributing factor was the pilot's decision to fly the airplane without a current annual inspection.

Apr 24, 2009 Pinehurst, NC N500TC Incident substantial The student pilot's improper landing flare.
Mar 06, 2009 Oceanside, CA N726RJ Fatal (1) destroyed A loss of aircraft control for undetermined reasons.
Mar 01, 2009 Carlisle, AR N739NP Incident substantial The student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Feb 26, 2009 Broomfield, CO N737KR Incident substantial The pilot and airplane's inability to compensate for the unforecasted gusting wind conditions.
Feb 25, 2009 Johnson County Exec Airport, KS N734WD Incident minor
Failure of the pilot of the Cessna 172S to ensure the taxiway was clear prior to initiating the turn. Contributing to the accident was the failure of…

Failure of the pilot of the Cessna 172S to ensure the taxiway was clear prior to initiating the turn. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the pilot of the Cessna 172N to obtain taxi clearance prior to entering the movement area.

Feb 20, 2009 Big Bear Lake, CA N6443E Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering in a ravine. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to contin…

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering in a ravine. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to continue flight in an area that exceeded the climb rate capabilities of the airplane.

Feb 07, 2009 Atmautluak, AK N5246D Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while landing in gusty winds, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall; his improper aircraft weight c…

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while landing in gusty winds, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall; his improper aircraft weight calculations; and his operation of the airplane over the allowable gross weight limit.

Aug 30, 2008 Burbank, CA N172ST Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's improper preflight and in-flight planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's loss of situa…

The pilot's improper preflight and in-flight planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's loss of situational awareness while conducting the normal and emergency checklists during his turn from base to final approach, and the dark night condition.

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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