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
Jun 14, 1999 EASTON, WA N62800 Minor substantial
The flight instructor's delayed remedial action. Factors include the student allowing the aircraft to climb too steeply at too low an airspeed, and th…

The flight instructor's delayed remedial action. Factors include the student allowing the aircraft to climb too steeply at too low an airspeed, and the soft/rough terrain on which the aborted takeoff took place.

Jun 13, 1999 SEYMOUR, TN N5494K Minor substantial
The failure of the pilot to perform a go-around earlier resulting in a long landing, insufficient runway remaining to stop, and subsequent in flight c…

The failure of the pilot to perform a go-around earlier resulting in a long landing, insufficient runway remaining to stop, and subsequent in flight collision with a marked power line during an aborted landing.

Apr 08, 1999 DULCE, NM N96212 Minor substantial
The pilot-in-command becoming disoriented during cruise flight, and his intentional flight into instrument meteorological conditions without proper ce…

The pilot-in-command becoming disoriented during cruise flight, and his intentional flight into instrument meteorological conditions without proper certification. Factors were the existing weather conditions that included snow, fog, obscuration and icing, the dark night light conditions, the rough terrain condition on which to make a forced landing, and the closed runway.

Nov 27, 1998 BRAINERD, MN N52502 Minor substantial
The visual lookout not obtained/maintained by the pilot of the other aircraft. Contributing factors were the unicom frequency not selected and the tr…

The visual lookout not obtained/maintained by the pilot of the other aircraft. Contributing factors were the unicom frequency not selected and the traffic advisory not issued by the pilot of the other aircraft. An additional factor was the aircraft moving on the ground.

Aug 07, 1998 WEST MILFORD, NJ N116FR Minor substantial The student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight.
Jun 21, 1998 GRAYS LAKE, IL N99548 Minor substantial the pilot's not performing a recovery from a bounced landing and his not maintaining directional control. A factor was soft terrain.
May 17, 1998 MONUMENT VALLEY, UT N65759 Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing. Factors were gusty, crosswind conditions, the pilot's lack of exp…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing. Factors were gusty, crosswind conditions, the pilot's lack of experience in type of operation and geographic area, mountainous terrain, and high density altitude.

Apr 19, 1998 LONGMONT, CO N6174K Minor substantial The pilot inadvertently stalling the aircraft during the landing touchdown. Factors were a crosswind and the pilot's lack of total flight experience.
Dec 24, 1997 KENMORE, WA N9566L Minor substantial
the pilot's inadequately planned approach and failure to maintain directional control. The pilot's lack of total experience in kind of aircraft and h…

the pilot's inadequately planned approach and failure to maintain directional control. The pilot's lack of total experience in kind of aircraft and haze were factors.

Oct 12, 1997 WIGGINS, MS N945SM Minor substantial Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons resulting in a forced landing on unsuitable terrain and the aircraft nosing over during landing roll.
Aug 08, 1997 ROCKHILL, SC N66098 Minor substantial The pilot's failure to plan and have adequate fuel for the flight.
Jun 30, 1997 TIOGA, PA N97613 Minor substantial The pilot's improper inflight decision to land downwind with an inoperative airspeed indicator, and his improper landing flare.
Jan 19, 1997 FORT LAUDERDALE, FL N136FR Minor substantial Failure of other maintenance personnel to properly torque a connecting rod bolt and nut for the No. 3 cylinder during engine overhaul.
Oct 15, 1996 KINGSBURG, CA N6187K Minor destroyed
the student pilot's use of an excessively lean mixture, which led to engine overheating, detonation, subsequent failure of the number 2 piston, and a …

the student pilot's use of an excessively lean mixture, which led to engine overheating, detonation, subsequent failure of the number 2 piston, and a forced landing.

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.
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.

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 12, 1995 MOUNTAIN HOME, AR N55409 Minor substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE GUSTY CROSSWIND. A FACTOR WAS GUSTING CROSSWINDS.
Jul 02, 1994 NEWPORT NEWS, VA N97000 Minor substantial The pilot's (1) improper recovery from a bounced landing and (2) failure to maintain aircraft control.
Jul 01, 1994 GREENVILLE, ME N5482K Minor substantial THE PREMATURE RETRACTION OF THE WING FLAPS BY THE PILOT AFTER TAKEOFF, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF LIFT AND COLLISION WITH TREES.
Jun 26, 1994 MASSENA, NY N5435K Minor substantial The pilot's improper compensation for wind conditions.
May 14, 1994 FERNANDINA, FL N99998 Minor substantial
THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S IMPROPER USE OF FLIGHT CONTROLS AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND UNCONTROLLED DESCENT…

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S IMPROPER USE OF FLIGHT CONTROLS AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND UNCONTROLLED DESCENT TO GROUND IMPACT.

Nov 28, 1993 PANOCHE, CA N65922 Minor substantial
the pilot's improper approach speed and glide path, and his delayed initiation of a go-around. A factor in the accident was the wind shear condition …

the pilot's improper approach speed and glide path, and his delayed initiation of a go-around. A factor in the accident was the wind shear condition created by the hills immediately off the departure end of the dirt airstrip.

Jul 04, 1993 LANCASTER, TX N54003 Minor substantial FUEL EXHAUSTION ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO THE INADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY FOR THE FLIGHT. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING
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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