Cessna 172R Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 422 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 11, 2021 | Chandler, AZ | N47AF | Serious (1) | substantial |
The pilot’s failure to locate the airport which resulted in an approach to a road and subsequent collision with powerlines during a go-around in low l…The pilot’s failure to locate the airport which resulted in an approach to a road and subsequent collision with powerlines during a go-around in low light conditions. |
| Sep 28, 2010 | Tulsa, OK | N5145U | Serious (1) | destroyed |
A shorted terminal lug on the landing gear hydraulic pump which resulted in a cabin fire. Contributing to the accident was the lack of clear installat…A shorted terminal lug on the landing gear hydraulic pump which resulted in a cabin fire. Contributing to the accident was the lack of clear installation procedures for the hydraulic pump. |
| Aug 14, 2010 | Key West, FL | N2435X | Serious (1) | substantial |
The non-instrument-rated pilot's spatial disorientation during night, over-water, low-ambient-light conditions, which resulted in the airplane impacti…The non-instrument-rated pilot's spatial disorientation during night, over-water, low-ambient-light conditions, which resulted in the airplane impacting the ocean. |
| Mar 08, 2009 | Oceanside, CA | N2478B | Serious (2) | substantial | A total loss of engine power in flight due to the fatigue failure of the No. 4 cylinder. |
| Apr 16, 2006 | Fort Myers, FL | N417FR | Serious (2) | substantial |
The flight instructor's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident was a ma…The flight instructor's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident was a malfunction of the elevator control for an undetermined reason, which required excessive forward pressure on the yoke to maintain pitch control. |
| 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. |
| Aug 11, 2002 | West Milford, NJ | N6257R | Serious (2) | substantial | The private pilot's excessive rotation and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. |
| Jul 28, 2001 | Gunnison, CO | N401TA | Serious (3) | destroyed |
the pilot's failure to attain the proper climb rate, and his improper inflight planning/decision to attempt to cross mountainous terrain at an inadequ…the pilot's failure to attain the proper climb rate, and his improper inflight planning/decision to attempt to cross mountainous terrain at an inadequate altitude. Contributing factors were the downdraft and the pilot's total lack of experience in mountain flying. |
| Jun 06, 1996 | LEADVILLE, CO | N9431D | Serious (3) | substantial |
Inadequate preflight planning and preparation and failure to follow aircraft operating procedures and directives. Factors were high density altitude, …Inadequate preflight planning and preparation and failure to follow aircraft operating procedures and directives. Factors were high density altitude, inadequate training of the flight instructor and insufficient standards and requirements for flight instructor training in mountain flying. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Apr 26, 1992 | CEDAR KEY, FL | N9888B | Serious (2) | substantial |
IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM THE BOUNCED LANDING BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE …IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM THE BOUNCED LANDING BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE CROSSWIND. |
| Dec 28, 1991 | MELBOURNE, FL | N9718B | Serious (1) | substantial |
THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHILE DEMONSTRATING A POWER OFF APPROACH TO THE STUDENT AND HIS IMPROPER RETRACT…THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHILE DEMONSTRATING A POWER OFF APPROACH TO THE STUDENT AND HIS IMPROPER RETRACTION OF THE WING FLAPS DURING GO AROUND FROM THE APPROACH RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT INTO THE GROUND. |
| Sep 28, 1990 | BROTHERS, OR | N6522V | Serious (1) | destroyed | THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISIONS THAT LED TO HIM FLYING INTO RISING TERRAAIN WHILE ENGAGED IN LOW LEVEL FLIGHT ACTIVITIES. |
| Feb 19, 1987 | SAN DIEGO, CA | N4590V | Serious | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Dec 18, 1986 | BLOOMINTON, IN | N9603B | Serious (1) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| May 25, 1986 | BRIDGEPORT, NJ | N4608V | Serious (4) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Jun 24, 1984 | LEE VINING, CA | N5269V | Serious (2) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| May 18, 1984 | LAKESIDE, AZ | N9700B | Serious (1) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Mar 25, 1984 | GREELEY, CO | N6521R | Serious (1) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Jun 05, 1983 | SAN CLEMENTE, CA | N4789R | Serious (1) | destroyed | Investigation pending |