Cessna 172R Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 422 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 21, 2022 | Brantford, CA | C-GOFD | Fatal (1) | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Jul 01, 2021 | Missoula, MT | N2388L | Fatal (2) | substantial |
The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed and exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altit…The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed and exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery. |
| Sep 11, 2016 | Parafield Aerodrome, Australia, AS | VH-MKG | Fatal (1) | — | Investigation pending |
| Sep 19, 2014 | Okmulgee, OK | N2435R | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance with trees and terr…The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance with trees and terrain. |
| Aug 26, 2014 | Willoughby Hills, OH | N4207P | Fatal (4) | destroyed |
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while returning to the airport immediately after takeoff, which resulted in the airplane excee…The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while returning to the airport immediately after takeoff, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and entering an aerodynamic stall during the turn. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in the airplane being over maximum gross weight and its subsequent decrease in takeoff climb performance. |
| Jul 09, 2014 | Tangara da Serra, BR | PR-TOT | Fatal (1) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Oct 29, 2013 | Nashville, TN | C-GRJH | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
The noninstrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight into night instrument flight rules conditions, which resulted in a collision with the runway d…The noninstrument-rated pilot’s continued visual flight into night instrument flight rules conditions, which resulted in a collision with the runway during an attempted approach to land. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s mental state, his impairment due to alcohol, and his decision to operate the airplane from Canada to the United States without the owner’s permission and without proper clearances for the flight. |
| Oct 15, 2012 | Simpson, LA | N2126R | Fatal (1) | substantial | The pilot’s loss of airplane control while maneuvering between areas of precipitation during a night cross-country flight. |
| Sep 09, 2012 | Macapá, BR | PT-WYK | Fatal (1) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Dec 20, 2011 | Denton, TX | N987BT | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The pilot's controlled flight into terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident w…The pilot's controlled flight into terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to perform a circling maneuver in weather below circling minimums instead of flying the missed approach instructions. |
| Jun 01, 2011 | Wendover, UT | N475ER | Fatal (4) | substantial |
The pilot did not maintain adequate airspeed during the downwind turn resulting in an aerodynamic stall, in-flight loss of control, and spin. Contribu…The pilot did not maintain adequate airspeed during the downwind turn resulting in an aerodynamic stall, in-flight loss of control, and spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and exceedance of the approved weight and balance envelope. |
| Dec 06, 2008 | Ft. Lauderdale, FL | N369ES | Fatal (4) | substantial | The failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other aircraft. |
| May 30, 2008 | Monticello, UT | N389ES | Fatal (2) | substantial | The in-flight collision with mountainous terrain for undetermined reasons. *This report was modified on December 10, 2009. |
| Feb 01, 2007 | Nadi, FJ | DQ-SKY | Fatal (3) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Feb 22, 2006 | Mitchellville, MD | N3536C | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
The pilot's improper inflight planning/decision to attempt a landing in weather conditions below landing minimums, and his failure to maintain airspee…The pilot's improper inflight planning/decision to attempt a landing in weather conditions below landing minimums, and his failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering. Factors in the accident were the fog and snow. |
| Jan 03, 2006 | Mendoza, AR | PT-OJN | Fatal (4) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Oct 09, 2005 | Union City, OH | N6085R | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
The pilot's failure to perform a preflight weather evaluation which led to his inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his sp…The pilot's failure to perform a preflight weather evaluation which led to his inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his spatial disorientation. The low ceilings and the dark night were contributing factors. |
| Sep 07, 2005 | Avalon, CA | N9636B | Fatal (2) | destroyed | an in-flight loss of control for undetermined reasons. |
| Apr 23, 2005 | Armonk, NY | N61AF | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
The flight instructor's failure to maintain the proper altitude\clearance during the approach, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. F…The flight instructor's failure to maintain the proper altitude\clearance during the approach, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. Factors in this accident were low ceilings, fog, and gusty wind conditions. |
| 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. |
| Apr 23, 2002 | Marthasville, MO | N5388R | Fatal (1) | destroyed | The inadequate supervision and the stall encountered by the certified flight instructor. |
| Jan 05, 2002 | Tampa, FL | N2371N | Fatal (1) | destroyed | The pilot's unauthorized use of an aircraft for the purpose of commiting suicide. |
| Jun 15, 2001 | Waveland, MS | N4734R | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
The incapacitation of the pilot (cardiovascular) resulting in his inability to fly the airplane and subsequent in-flight collision with trees then a h…The incapacitation of the pilot (cardiovascular) resulting in his inability to fly the airplane and subsequent in-flight collision with trees then a house. |
| May 27, 2000 | PRESCOTT, AZ | N5207U | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
The flight instructor's delayed remedial action, and his failure to correct an inappropriate descent during maneuvering flight, while engaged in comme…The flight instructor's delayed remedial action, and his failure to correct an inappropriate descent during maneuvering flight, while engaged in commercial flight training maneuvers. |
| Jan 06, 2000 | Atlantic Ocean, AO | N156RA | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
The pilot's lack of total experience in instrument flight, simulated instrument flight, and night flight resulting in the pilot becoming spatially dis…The pilot's lack of total experience in instrument flight, simulated instrument flight, and night flight resulting in the pilot becoming spatially disoriented, and subsequent in-flight collision with water. Contributing to the accident was the dark night with no visible horizon. |