Cessna 172S Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 410 events recorded from 1999 to 2025.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 22, 2020 | Culpeper, VA | N505LP | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s decision to land the airplane in crosswind conditions that exceeded the airplane’s maximum demonstrated crosswind velocity. |
| Jun 26, 2018 | Phoenix, AZ | N154ME | Minor | substantial | A total loss of engine power due to crankshaft failure as the result of a subsurface fatigue crack. |
| Oct 02, 2017 | Tonopah, NV | N5311H | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to enrich the mixture during the descent, as required by the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH), and his subsequent failure to follo…The pilot's failure to enrich the mixture during the descent, as required by the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH), and his subsequent failure to follow the POH emergency procedures, which resulted in an excessively lean fuel/air mixture and subsequent loss of rpm. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to land on unsuitable terrain despite the availability of two nearby airports. |
| Aug 09, 2017 | Wellston, OH | N5274Q | Minor | substantial | The failure of a connecting rod small end bushing, which resulted in a loss of engine power. |
| Jul 31, 2017 | Seattle, WA | N957TA | Minor | substantial |
The total loss of engine power due to oil starvation as a result of the loose right magneto, which allowed oil to escape and the engine to seize. Cont…The total loss of engine power due to oil starvation as a result of the loose right magneto, which allowed oil to escape and the engine to seize. Contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance, which failed to identify the loose magneto bolt. |
| May 09, 2017 | New Orleans, LA | N520ER | Incident | — |
The air traffic controller not following Federal Aviation Administration directives to establish sequencing and spacing between aircraft operating to …The air traffic controller not following Federal Aviation Administration directives to establish sequencing and spacing between aircraft operating to the same runway. |
| Apr 28, 2017 | Jean, NV | N796SP | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s runway selection, which resulted in landing with a tailwind and an unstabilized approach and subsequent runway overrun. |
| Mar 01, 2017 | St Petersburg, FL | N22904 | Incident | substantial |
The student pilot’s overcompensation of right rudder pedal application during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control and im…The student pilot’s overcompensation of right rudder pedal application during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control and impact with runway signage and a fence. |
| Feb 27, 2017 | Berthoud, CO | N2461N | Fatal (2) | substantial | The failure of the pilots to apply prompt and/or correct flight control inputs to adequately recover from the intentional aerodynamic spin. |
| Sep 19, 2016 | Chesterfield, MO | N52265 | Serious (1) | destroyed | The pilot's unstable approach and subsequent loss of airplane control during an attempted go-around. |
| Aug 09, 2016 | Arlington, TX | N544SP | Incident | substantial | The student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. |
| Jun 10, 2016 | Deming, NM | N21767 | Serious (2) | substantial |
The pilots’ failure to maintain adequate control of the airplane during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its …The pilots’ failure to maintain adequate control of the airplane during the initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall at a low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the operation of the airplane above its maximum takeoff weight at a high density altitude at the time of the accident. |
| Feb 03, 2016 | San Diego, CA | N1955L | Incident | minor |
The failure of the flight instructor of the other airplane to maintain awareness while parked on the ramp with the engine operating, which resulted in…The failure of the flight instructor of the other airplane to maintain awareness while parked on the ramp with the engine operating, which resulted in impact with the parked airplane. |
| Nov 08, 2015 | San Jose, CA | N21679 | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll at night, which resulted in a runway excursion. |
| Nov 05, 2015 | Alcoa, TN | N905CP | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to identify the taxiway, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain while turning off the runway at night. |
| Oct 10, 2015 | Seville, FL | N5295Y | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The airplane’s encounter with a downdraft, and the pilot's decision to maneuver the airplane at a low altitude and airspeed, which provided insufficie…The airplane’s encounter with a downdraft, and the pilot's decision to maneuver the airplane at a low altitude and airspeed, which provided insufficient time and altitude to recover before impacting terrain. |
| Jul 19, 2015 | Linden, NJ | N962SP | Incident | substantial |
The pilot’s delayed decision to reject the takeoff, which resulted in a runway overrun. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to proper…The pilot’s delayed decision to reject the takeoff, which resulted in a runway overrun. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to properly configure the flaps for maximum takeoff performance with the airplane near its maximum gross weight. |
| Jun 10, 2015 | Galesburg, IL | N740SP | Incident | substantial |
Firewall damage reported by maintenance personnel that occurred during an unknown phase of flight, because the accident flight and pilot could not be …Firewall damage reported by maintenance personnel that occurred during an unknown phase of flight, because the accident flight and pilot could not be determined. |
| May 08, 2015 | Davenport, CA | N191TG | Fatal (1) | — | Undetermined because the airplane was not located. |
| May 07, 2015 | Daytona Beach, FL | N487ER | Incident | substantial |
The landing airplane pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and ground collision with a …The landing airplane pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and ground collision with a taxiing airplane. |
| Apr 19, 2015 | Naples, FL | N100PM | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control, resulting in a hard landing. |
| Apr 12, 2015 | Santander, CO | HK5064G | Fatal (3) | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Mar 28, 2015 | Vernal, UT | N2168D | Incident | substantial | The student pilot's failure to maintain attitude control during landing flare. |
| Mar 23, 2015 | Camarillo, CA | N2104H | Incident | substantial | The pilot involved and the phase of flight when the damage occurred were not determined. |
| Mar 07, 2015 | Richmond, VA | N144ME | Incident | substantial | The student pilot's inadequate landing flare which resulted in a hard landing and substantial damage to the airplane. |