Cessna 172S Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 410 events recorded from 1999 to 2025.

410

All Events

310

Incidents

35

Minor

16

Serious

45

Fatal (80 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Jun 26, 2012 West Palm Beach, FL N961MC Incident substantial
The flight instructor’s failure to maintain airplane control during the takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the…

The flight instructor’s failure to maintain airplane control during the takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s decision to conduct takeoffs and landings in conditions exceeding the airplane’s maximum demonstrated crosswind capability.

Jun 17, 2012 Frederick, MD N387AF Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Jun 09, 2012 Bend, OR N698SP Incident substantial The pilot’s inadequate crosswind correction, which resulted in a loss of airplane control and runway excursion into a berm.
May 27, 2012 Page, AZ N21718 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare.
May 26, 2012 St. George, UT N953SP Fatal (4) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an aggressive pitch-up maneuver, which resulted in a low-altitude aerodynamic stall shortly a…

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during an aggressive pitch-up maneuver, which resulted in a low-altitude aerodynamic stall shortly after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impairment from alcohol consumption and an over-gross-weight airplane.

May 26, 2012 Fort Scott, KS N5258Y Incident substantial
The student pilot’s loss of directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot’s diverted attention to re…

The student pilot’s loss of directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot’s diverted attention to retract the flaps.

Apr 26, 2012 Glendale, AZ N320ME Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate flare and compensation for gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a bounced landing.
Apr 12, 2012 Prescott, AZ N17304 Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of directional control.
Apr 10, 2012 Monroe, LA N5253Q Incident substantial The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and loss of directional control.
Apr 09, 2012 Daytona Beach, FL N375LP Incident substantial A total loss of engine power due to a catastrophic engine failure, the origin of which could not be determined during postaccident examination.
Mar 29, 2012 Midlothian, TX N480SP Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Mar 23, 2012 Longmont, CO N10468 Fatal (2) substantial The inadequate visual lookout by the pilots of both airplanes, which resulted in a mid-air collision.
Mar 04, 2012 Lafayette, TN N53460 Incident substantial The pilot’s inadequate compensation for gusting crosswind conditions during landing, which resulted in a hard landing.
Feb 24, 2012 Key West, FL N53589 Fatal (2) substantial
The non-night-qualified pilot's improper decision to depart in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in his subsequent spatial d…

The non-night-qualified pilot's improper decision to depart in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in his subsequent spatial disorientation, loss of control, and impact with water.

Feb 18, 2012 Caldwell, NJ N506SP Incident substantial The student pilot’s loss of directional control during a crosswind landing.
Feb 15, 2012 North Bend, WA N665SP Fatal (3) substantial
The pilot's physical impairment due to alcohol, which adversely affected his ability to operate the airplane and to maintain clearance from mountainou…

The pilot's physical impairment due to alcohol, which adversely affected his ability to operate the airplane and to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain while operating in dark night conditions.

Feb 14, 2012 Eufaula, AL N6194V Incident substantial An inadvertent collision with a deer during a night landing.
Feb 02, 2012 Mokuleia, HI N5026C Incident substantial The pilot's improper landing flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
Jan 28, 2012 Jackson, MS N427CP Incident The separation of the propeller blade tip due to fatigue cracking that initiated at the blade’s leading edge.
Nov 12, 2011 Phoenix, AZ N24350 Incident substantial The student pilot's inadequate directional control during takeoff.
Oct 15, 2011 Daytona Beach, FL N551ER Incident
The departing pilot's incorrect runway selection and non-compliance with an air traffic control clearance. Contributing to the incident was the air tr…

The departing pilot's incorrect runway selection and non-compliance with an air traffic control clearance. Contributing to the incident was the air traffic controller's inadequate monitoring of the departing aircraft to ensure that the pilot complied with the clearance issued and his failure to issue conflict resolution advisories.

Sep 30, 2011 Westminster, MD N11019 Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's imp…

The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper approach airspeed for a short-field landing.

Sep 26, 2011 Phoenix, AZ N169ME Minor substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout.
Sep 05, 2011 Bemidji, MN N548ND Incident substantial The student pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Aug 08, 2011 St. Augustine, FL N65777 Incident substantial The student pilot's loss of directional control while attempting to close the airplane's door during takeoff roll.
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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