Cessna 172P Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 696 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.

696

All Events

439

Incidents

104

Minor

55

Serious

96

Fatal (200 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Aug 11, 1996 SUMMERSVILLE, WV N65632 Fatal (3) destroyed
The pilot's improper flare, his delay in aborting a landing, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a bounced landing and a …

The pilot's improper flare, his delay in aborting a landing, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a bounced landing and a stall during climb out in an attempt to avoid collision with trees.

Jul 13, 1996 FAIRFIELD, NJ N98730 Incident substantial
the pilot's improper aborted takeoff by extending full flaps which resulted in a porpoise. Subsequently, the airplane veered off the runway and the n…

the pilot's improper aborted takeoff by extending full flaps which resulted in a porpoise. Subsequently, the airplane veered off the runway and the nose gear collapsed.

Jul 04, 1996 OWASSO, OK N62511 Incident substantial
Inadequate maintenance by maintenance personnel resulting in inoperative brake system during an aborted takeoff. A factor was the downhill runway cond…

Inadequate maintenance by maintenance personnel resulting in inoperative brake system during an aborted takeoff. A factor was the downhill runway condition.

May 07, 1996 RENO, NV N5394K Incident substantial
the pilot's failure to obtain and maintain flying speed and a proper glide path, which resulted in an inadvertent stall during a visual approach. An …

the pilot's failure to obtain and maintain flying speed and a proper glide path, which resulted in an inadvertent stall during a visual approach. An increased altitude illusion created by rising terrain under the final approach course was a factor.

Apr 28, 1996 RUTLAND, VT N98574 Incident substantial the pilot's improper flare and recovery from a bounced landing. A contributing factor was his lack of recent flight experience.
Apr 26, 1996 DENTON, TX N5215K Incident substantial the student pilot's delayed landing flare and his improper bounced landing recovery technique.
Apr 23, 1996 COLORADO SPGS, CO N55126 Incident substantial the student pilot'S failure to maintain control of the aircraft during a go-around.
Apr 04, 1996 FRIDAY HARBOR, WA N51380 Incident substantial the pilot's misjudgment of the aircraft's altitude above the runway and failure to flare for landing. Darkness (bright night) was a related factor.
Mar 30, 1996 FULLERTON, CA N9964L Incident substantial
the student pilot's inadequate compensation for the encounter with wake turbulence from a preceding small aircraft, and his improper bounced landing r…

the student pilot's inadequate compensation for the encounter with wake turbulence from a preceding small aircraft, and his improper bounced landing recovery technique.

Feb 24, 1996 WEST CHICAGO, IL N99341 Incident substantial the student pilot's misjudging the flare. A factor was the gusts.
Feb 22, 1996 IOWA, LA N775NA Serious (1) substantial
the pilot's selection of the wrong runway for landing, his delay in initiating a go-around (aborted landing), and his failure to maintain clearance fr…

the pilot's selection of the wrong runway for landing, his delay in initiating a go-around (aborted landing), and his failure to maintain clearance from the transmission lines. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's improper weather evaluation, the resultant tailwind, and the proximity of transmission lines to the runway.

Feb 17, 1996 RAYMOND, CA N53115 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to verify the quantity of fuel onboard the aircraft prior to departure, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
Feb 16, 1996 CASHMERE, WA N52264 Incident substantial
the pilot's selection of the wrong runway for landing, by not observing a procedure to land uphill during calm wind conditions, and his subsequent fai…

the pilot's selection of the wrong runway for landing, by not observing a procedure to land uphill during calm wind conditions, and his subsequent failure to retract the flaps during landing roll, as recommended by the airplane's short-field landing procedure. The downhill slope of the landing runway was a related factor.

Feb 15, 1996 SALMON, ID N96879 Incident substantial
failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during the landing, which resulted in a ground swerve. A factor relating to the accident was: th…

failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during the landing, which resulted in a ground swerve. A factor relating to the accident was: the rock pile to the left of the runway.

Dec 02, 1995 HALLETT, OK N98003 Fatal (3) destroyed The flight instructor's intentional low altitude flight maneuver. Factors were the static wire and the bright night condition.
Aug 20, 1995 PORT WASHINGTON, WI N55404 Minor substantial the failure of the #2 cylinder due to fatigue cracking. A factor was the soft terrain.
Aug 16, 1995 HESPERIA, CA N5462K Incident substantial The failure of the connecting rod due to the rod bolt backing off, and the pilot's misjudging the distance and altitude.
Jul 24, 1995 RENO, NV N65923 Minor substantial
the pilot's loss of directional control during a crosswind landing using full flaps and the lack of familiarity with the crosswind landing component c…

the pilot's loss of directional control during a crosswind landing using full flaps and the lack of familiarity with the crosswind landing component chart for the aircraft.

Jul 24, 1995 TETERBORO, NJ N51081 Incident substantial the student pilot's improper flare which resulted in the airplane porpoising and the subsequent buckling of the firewall.
Jul 13, 1995 VASHON, WA N52139 Incident substantial THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CONNECTING ROD BOLT OVERLOAD FAILURE. THE ROUGH, UNEVEN TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WAS A FACTOR.
Jun 28, 1995 LAKE PLACID, FL N96567 Minor substantial
TOTAL FAILURE OF THE FUEL VENT SYSTEM RESULTING IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING CRUISE FLIGHT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INADEQUA…

TOTAL FAILURE OF THE FUEL VENT SYSTEM RESULTING IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING CRUISE FLIGHT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION FOR FAILURE OF THE MECHANIC TO IDENTIFY THAT THE VENTED AND NON-VENTED FUEL CAPS WERE INCORRECTLY POSITIONED.

Jun 07, 1995 ST. PETERSBUG, FL N129EP Minor substantial
The pilot-in-command's/CFI improper supervision of the dual student on landing rollout. This resulted in an on ground loss of control (directional con…

The pilot-in-command's/CFI improper supervision of the dual student on landing rollout. This resulted in an on ground loss of control (directional control not maintained), and subsequent nose over.

Apr 29, 1995 CLEARWATER, FL N96EP Incident substantial THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER REMEDIAL ACTION AFTER THE AIRCRAFT PORPOISED DURING THE LANDING FLARE AND TOUCHDOWN.
Apr 12, 1995 MOUNTAIN HOME, AR N55409 Minor substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE GUSTY CROSSWIND. A FACTOR WAS GUSTING CROSSWINDS.
Mar 30, 1995 NAPLES, NY N96746 Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors contributing to the accident were: the night conditions, fog, low …

The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors contributing to the accident were: the night conditions, fog, low ceiling, and hilly terrain.

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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