Cessna 172R Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 422 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.

422

All Events

299

Incidents

35

Minor

21

Serious

64

Fatal (118 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Oct 10, 1995 BAYFIELD, CO N4834V Fatal (3) destroyed THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT DIVERTING ATTENTION WHILE LOOKING FOR GAME.
Sep 29, 1995 PITTSBURGH, PA N9497B Incident substantial
the pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point and excessive airspeed which resulted in an overrun and a subsequent collision with a trailer…

the pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point and excessive airspeed which resulted in an overrun and a subsequent collision with a trailer off the departure end of the runway.

Sep 03, 1995 MERIDEN, CT N4671V Serious (1) substantial
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll which resulted in the aircraft veering off the runway, and a subsequent co…

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll which resulted in the aircraft veering off the runway, and a subsequent collision with a fence.

Jul 07, 1995 FT. LAUDERDALE, FL N9324B Fatal (2) destroyed
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AFTER A MOMENTARY LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING TAKEOFF, RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN. THE REASO…

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AFTER A MOMENTARY LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING TAKEOFF, RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN. THE REASON FOR POWER LOSS COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

Jun 29, 1995 WESTON, TX N9502D Incident substantial
THE PILOT RECEIVING INSTRUCTION'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE WITH POWER LINES WHILE MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQU…

THE PILOT RECEIVING INSTRUCTION'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE WITH POWER LINES WHILE MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION. A FACTOR WAS THE INSTRUCTOR'S DECISION TO ALLOW THE SIMULATION TO CONTINUE TO SUCH A LOW ALTITUDE.

Feb 17, 1995 PLANO, TX N5096U Incident substantial
THE DISENGAGEMENT OF THE CRANKSHAFT GEAR DUE TO THE LOOSENING OF THE GEAR RETAINING BOLT AND THE SUBSEQUENT FRACTURE OF THE GEAR ALIGNMENT DOWEL. A FA…

THE DISENGAGEMENT OF THE CRANKSHAFT GEAR DUE TO THE LOOSENING OF THE GEAR RETAINING BOLT AND THE SUBSEQUENT FRACTURE OF THE GEAR ALIGNMENT DOWEL. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN AVAILABLE FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

Sep 13, 1994 WEST CHICAGO, IL N616SF Incident substantial the pilot-in-command (CFI)'s inadequate supervision. Factors were the abrupt flare by the dual student.
Sep 05, 1994 TRUCKEE, CA N3745B Fatal (4) destroyed
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED TO CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL AND SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH THE GROUND. …

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED TO CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL AND SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH THE GROUND. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, IMPROPER TRIM SETTING FOR TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE'S EXCESSIVE GROSS WEIGHT, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE MAKE/MODEL OF AIRPLANE.

Aug 14, 1994 ATLANTA, GA N9340D Fatal (2) substantial
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning in that he operated the aircraft at a weight which exceeded the maximum takeoff weight and his improper use …

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning in that he operated the aircraft at a weight which exceeded the maximum takeoff weight and his improper use of flaps during takeoff.

Aug 06, 1994 PITTSTOWN, NJ N9686B Minor substantial THE PILOT'S PREMATURE LIFT OFF AND FAILURE TO ATTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED.
Jul 22, 1994 ENGLEWOOD, CO N6086R Minor substantial AN INADVERTENT STALL. FACTORS WERE THE AIRPLANE'S MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT AND CLIMB CAPABILITY WERE EXCEEDED, AND A HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.
Mar 28, 1994 PARKLAND, FL N9786B Incident substantial
IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, AND FAILURE OF THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TO TAKE ADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION. A FACTOR RELATED TO T…

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, AND FAILURE OF THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TO TAKE ADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE SOFT/WET RUNWAY CONDITION.

Mar 26, 1994 BOCA RATON, FL N9781B Incident substantial
The failure of the aircraft operator to comply with engine manufacturers service bulletins which resulted in improper inspection of exhaust valves and…

The failure of the aircraft operator to comply with engine manufacturers service bulletins which resulted in improper inspection of exhaust valves and subsequent sticking of the no. 4 exhaust valve.

Mar 18, 1994 FAIRFIELD, NJ N9585B Minor substantial
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ATTAIN A PROPER TOUCHDOWN, AT THE PROPER SPEED WHICH RESULTED IN AN OVERRUN AND CONTACT WITH A FENCE. A FACTOR WAS THE FAI…

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ATTAIN A PROPER TOUCHDOWN, AT THE PROPER SPEED WHICH RESULTED IN AN OVERRUN AND CONTACT WITH A FENCE. A FACTOR WAS THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO FOLLOW HIS INITIAL AIR TRAFFIC INSTRUCTIONS.

Mar 16, 1994 DULCE, NM N4663V Fatal (4) destroyed FAILURE BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO PROPERLY PLAN THE FLIGHT AND CALCULATE PERFORMANCE DATA.
Feb 27, 1994 FRANKFORT, MI N4871V Incident substantial THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE SNOW COVERED RUNWAY WAS A FACTOR.
Oct 05, 1993 CORVALLIS, OR N16ED Incident substantial THE CFI'S INADEQUATE IN-FLIGHT PLANNING, AND HIS INADVERTENT GEAR-UP LANDING. FACTORS INCLUDE THE CFI'S DIVERTED ATTENTION.
Aug 06, 1993 SALIDA, CO N9633B Serious (3) destroyed THE CLIMB CAPABILITY OF THE AIRPLANE BEING EXCEEDED AND THE PILOT'S DECISION TO TURN INTO THE RISING TERRAIN. A FACTOR WAS THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.
May 20, 1993 FORT LAUDERDALE, FL N5338V Incident substantial THE FAILURE OF THE LEFT MAIN GEAR PIVOT ASSEMBLY, RESULTING IN THE COLLAPSE OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT.
Feb 10, 1993 WHITE PLAINS, NY N6433V Incident substantial THE COLLAPSE OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON.
Nov 18, 1992 KEY LARGO, FL N5190V Minor substantial
THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT ON LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S IMPROPER PREFL…

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT ON LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING PREPARATION AND SELECTION OF THE WRONG RUNWAY RELATIVE TO THE WIND.

Oct 15, 1992 CLARKSVILLE, TN N9797B Incident substantial THE FRACTURE OF THE SECTION GEAR IN THE MAIN LANDING GEAR RETRACTION AND EXTENSION MECHANISM.
Sep 16, 1992 CASA GRANDE, AZ N519PU Incident substantial THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.
Sep 05, 1992 WHEELING, IL N9578B Incident substantial MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSE AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF A LANDING GEAR HYDRAULIC PUMP SEAL.
Jul 24, 1992 FAIRPLAY, CO N4963R Fatal (1) destroyed
THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S OPERATION AT AN ALTITUDE INSUFFICIENT TO CLEAR OBSTACLES IN RISING MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. FACTORS WERE: HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, …

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S OPERATION AT AN ALTITUDE INSUFFICIENT TO CLEAR OBSTACLES IN RISING MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. FACTORS WERE: HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, DIVERSION OF THE INSTRUCTOR'S ATTENTION, AND THE RISING 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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