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
Nov 21, 2021 Wheeling, IL N99715 Incident substantial
The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing was the student pilot’s self-induced pressure to land after…

The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing was the student pilot’s self-induced pressure to land after being admonished by the controller.

Sep 11, 2021 Kennesaw, GA N9522L Incident substantial The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.
Aug 29, 2021 Wenatchee, WA N51547 Incident substantial The student pilot’s inadequate inflight navigation and the flight instructors delayed remedial action which resulted in a collision with trees.
Jul 26, 2021 Eagle River, AK N65698 Fatal (2) substantial
An inflight collision with terrain under unknown circumstances. Contributing to the delayed rescue response was the failure of the emergency locator t…

An inflight collision with terrain under unknown circumstances. Contributing to the delayed rescue response was the failure of the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) to activate as designed, and the mechanic’s failure to ensure the correct ELT was installed and all applicable airworthiness directives complied with in accordance with federal regulations.

May 08, 2021 Tucson, AZ N54140 Incident substantial The student pilot’s improper pitch control and landing flare, which resulted in a hard bounce and subsequent porpoised landing.
May 01, 2021 Lanai City, HI N3929 Minor substantial
The solo student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and a no…

The solo student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and a nose-over.

Apr 14, 2021 Bellingham, WA N51380 Incident substantial The student pilot’s inadequate flare resulting in a loss of control during landing with a crosswind and subsequent nose over.
Dec 02, 2018 Santa Rita, OF N98884 Minor substantial A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Jan 20, 2018 Cloverdale, CA N64204 Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during the approach and his delayed decision to go around.
Dec 14, 2017 Valley Springs, CA N54873 Serious (2) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering for landing and his decision to land on a surface with obstructions.
Nov 19, 2017 San Jose, CA N52492 Serious (2) substantial
The pilot's delayed decision to execute an emergency landing and his attempt to return to the airport following a partial loss of power due to wear on…

The pilot's delayed decision to execute an emergency landing and his attempt to return to the airport following a partial loss of power due to wear on internal engine components, which prevented the engine from developing full-rated power during the airplane's initial climb.

Sep 25, 2017 Tamuning, USA N5448K Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in oil exhaustion and a subsequent total loss of engine power during cruise flight.
Jun 10, 2017 Tamiami, FL N881AV Incident substantial A partial loss of engine power during the initial climb due to carburetor icing.
Mar 15, 2017 Manitouwadge, CA N230TX Incident substantial Investigation pending
Jun 20, 2016 Honesdale, PA N54285 Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while departing in a heavily loaded airplane at high density altitude, which resulted in the airplan…

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while departing in a heavily loaded airplane at high density altitude, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall, landing hard, and overrunning the runway.

Sep 16, 2015 Nutwood, IL N65191 Minor substantial A partial loss of engine power due to the undetected loosening of the four carburetor bolts that connect the throttle body to the bowl assembly.
Aug 20, 2015 Townsend, MT N62731 Fatal (2) substantial
The non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to conduct a cross-country flight over a mountain range in dark night conditions with limited night flight e…

The non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to conduct a cross-country flight over a mountain range in dark night conditions with limited night flight experience, which resulted in a collision with mountainous terrain.

Jul 03, 2015 Bartlett, IL N62681 Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot’s loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined because an examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact abno…

The pilot’s loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined because an examination of the airplane did not reveal any preimpact abnormalities.

May 25, 2015 Mitchellville, MD N6155K Incident substantial The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and damage to the airplane.
Apr 30, 2015 Los Angeles, CA N65813 Minor substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain attitude control during the landing flare, resulting in a hard landing.
Apr 17, 2015 Tamuning, USA N9853L Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain pitch control, resulting in a hard landing.
Apr 17, 2015 Sebastian, FL N66090 Incident substantial The pilot's misjudged airspeed and glidepath, which resulted in a landing area overshoot and runway excursion.
Mar 08, 2015 Newport, RI N65645 Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during landing, and his subsequent failure to recover from a bounced landing, which resulted …

The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during landing, and his subsequent failure to recover from a bounced landing, which resulted in a hard landing.

Feb 21, 2015 Kankakee, IL N54974 Incident substantial The student pilot's improper flight control inputs resulting in the loss of control during the landing flare.
Oct 30, 2014 Miami, FL N97277 Incident substantial The failure of the student pilot to achieve a proper touchdown during a touch-and-go landing resulting in a hard landing and substantial damage.
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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