Cessna 172R Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 422 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Nov 01, 2003 | Cloudcroft, NM | N9864F | Serious (2) | destroyed |
the dual student's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. Also causal was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision. Low altitude flig…the dual student's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. Also causal was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision. Low altitude flight and rising terrain are contributing factors. |
| 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 28, 2003 | Cherokee, NC | N35255 | Fatal (1) | destroyed | The pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance, which resulted in an in-flight collision with mountainous terrain. |
| 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. |
| Feb 24, 2003 | Sanford, FL | N5177R | Minor | substantial |
The intentional cutting of the hydraulic line by an unknown person resulting in the loss of hydraulic fluid and the inability of the pilot-in-command …The intentional cutting of the hydraulic line by an unknown person resulting in the loss of hydraulic fluid and the inability of the pilot-in-command to extend and lock the main landing gear, and subsequent collapse of the main landing gear after touchdown. |
| Sep 26, 2002 | Billings, MT | N6525R | Incident | substantial | The failure of the landing gear actuator during landing as a result of fatigue. |
| 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 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. |
| Aug 11, 2002 | West Milford, NJ | N6257R | Serious (2) | substantial | The private pilot's excessive rotation and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. |
| 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. |
| Apr 24, 2002 | Alamogordo, NM | N6288R | Incident | substantial | the loss of engine power for an undetermined reason, which resulted in a forced landing after takeoff. |
| Apr 23, 2002 | Marthasville, MO | N5388R | Fatal (1) | destroyed | The inadequate supervision and the stall encountered by the certified flight instructor. |
| Apr 13, 2002 | McKinney, TX | N58AF | Incident | substantial | the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while taxiing from landing. |