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
Sep 15, 2004 Montgomery, AL N948SM Incident substantial The separation of a hydraulic line for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a hydraulic fluid leak and malfunction of the landing gear.
Aug 05, 2004 Olathe, KS N458CM Incident substantial The student pilot flared too high and failed to recover from a bounced landing.
Jul 24, 2004 San Diego, CA N5167R Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to ensure that the landing gear was fully extended, by use of the emergency gear extension system, which resulted in its partial c…

The pilot's failure to ensure that the landing gear was fully extended, by use of the emergency gear extension system, which resulted in its partial collapse during landing rollout. Also causal was the pilot's failure to follow POH procedures relating to troubleshooting and restoring electric power to the airplane busses.

Jun 21, 2004 Hartford, CT N356ES Incident substantial The student pilot's improper flare and inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor was the gusty winds.
May 11, 2004 Chamblee, GA N6562V Incident
The fatigue fracture of the nosewheel bungee assembly, which restricted the movement of the elevator control. A factor was the inadequate equipment fr…

The fatigue fracture of the nosewheel bungee assembly, which restricted the movement of the elevator control. A factor was the inadequate equipment from an unknown source/manufacturer.

Apr 02, 2004 Kalamazoo, MI N986AV Incident substantial
The air traffic control procedures/directives not followed by tower air traffic controller, the inadequate compensation for wind conditions by the stu…

The air traffic control procedures/directives not followed by tower air traffic controller, the inadequate compensation for wind conditions by the student pilot during landing, the lack of total experience by the student pilot, and the recommended crosswind flap setting not followed by the student pilot. The crosswind conditions were a contributing factor.

Feb 16, 2004 Batavia, OH N121UC Incident substantial The student pilot's improper flare and improper recover from a bounced landing, which resulted in a hard landing.
Feb 05, 2004 Fredrick, MD N5165M Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing. A factor was the snow bank.
Jan 13, 2004 Enumclaw, WA N64ML Incident substantial
A loss of engine power while maneuvering due to the failure of the heads of six of the eight cam followers. Factors include the pilot's decision to k…

A loss of engine power while maneuvering due to the failure of the heads of six of the eight cam followers. Factors include the pilot's decision to keep the gear retracted during the forced landing, and the rough/uneven terrain.

Dec 27, 2003 Bluffton, OH N363SA Incident substantial The pilot's improper flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
Dec 26, 2003 Atlanta, GA N26486 Incident substantial The pilot's improper flare resulting in a hard landing. A factor is lack of total experience.
Dec 25, 2003 Key West, FL N4721R Incident substantial
Pilot's improper emergency landing gear extension procedure which resulted in the right main landing gear not locking in the down position subsequent …

Pilot's improper emergency landing gear extension procedure which resulted in the right main landing gear not locking in the down position subsequent right main landing gear collapsing on landing.

Oct 30, 2003 New Bern, NC N496AC Incident substantial The student pilot's improper landing flare resulting in a hard landing.
Oct 12, 2003 Camarillo, CA N6543V Incident substantial
The fracture and failure of the left landing gear actuator. Contributing to the accident was the operator's failure to comply with the manufacturer's…

The fracture and failure of the left landing gear actuator. Contributing to the accident was the operator's failure to comply with the manufacturer's service bulletin.

Sep 30, 2003 Santa Ana, CA N9564B Incident substantial the failure of the right main landing gear pivot assembly.
Sep 06, 2003 Blanchard, ID N6368R Incident substantial
The loss of engine oil as a result of the inadequate installation of the idler gear shaft set screw and the lack of a safety wire on the hex head (oil…

The loss of engine oil as a result of the inadequate installation of the idler gear shaft set screw and the lack of a safety wire on the hex head (oil) plug. A contributing factor was the rough and uneven terrain.

Aug 16, 2003 Glens Falls, NY N9673B Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain control during the flare/touchdown, which resulted in a hard landing. Factors in this accident were wind gusts and th…

The pilot's failure to maintain control during the flare/touchdown, which resulted in a hard landing. Factors in this accident were wind gusts and the pilot's improper decision to land during thunderstorm activity.

Jul 18, 2003 Daytona Beach, FL N864CP Incident substantial
Failure of the student pilot of N864CP to judge the clearance between his airplane and the stationary N431ER while taxiing for takeoff which resulted …

Failure of the student pilot of N864CP to judge the clearance between his airplane and the stationary N431ER while taxiing for takeoff which resulted in a ground collision.

Mar 11, 2003 Thermal, CA N4201Y Incident substantial
the student pilot's failure to use aileron controls to compensate for the known crosswind and failure to maintain directional control during the landi…

the student pilot's failure to use aileron controls to compensate for the known crosswind and failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout.

Mar 05, 2003 St. Paul, MN N35307 Incident substantial The loss of directional control by the solo student pilot. A factor to the accident was the excessive speed during landing.
Sep 26, 2002 Greenwood, IL N3510A Incident substantial
The CFI's poor inflight planning/decision to allow the airplane to get to too low of an altitude to assure a safe recovery from the simulated forced l…

The CFI's poor inflight planning/decision to allow the airplane to get to too low of an altitude to assure a safe recovery from the simulated forced landing. Factors associated with the accident were the student pilot's delay initiating the go around and the corn crop which the airplane contacted.

Sep 26, 2002 Billings, MT N6525R Incident substantial The failure of the landing gear actuator during landing as a result of fatigue.
Sep 21, 2002 DEL MAR, CA N6303V Incident substantial
The loss of engine power due to failure of the number three connecting rod cap. Also causal was the failure of the pilot of a previous flight to repo…

The loss of engine power due to failure of the number three connecting rod cap. Also causal was the failure of the pilot of a previous flight to report an engine overspeed event precluding the performance of the appropriate maintenance inspection.

Aug 12, 2002 Rochester, NY N888RG Incident substantial The pilot's improper flare and recovery from a bounced landing. A factor in the accident was the slow response time of the airspeed indicator.
Jun 15, 2002 N Myrtle Beach, SC N9857F Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a banner tow pickup resulting in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent and collision with terr…

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a banner tow pickup resulting in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent and collision with 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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