Cessna 172S Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 410 events recorded from 1999 to 2025.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 13, 2025 | Sisters, OR | N787LF | Serious (1) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Oct 16, 2014 | Big Bear, CA | N612SP | Serious (3) | substantial |
A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any…A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. |
| Jun 13, 2013 | Grand Forks, ND | N552ND | Serious (1) | substantial | The student pilot’s inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall during the go-around. |
| Jan 24, 2009 | Oceanside, CA | N562AD | Serious (2) | substantial |
A defective alternator wire splice that resulted in an intermittent electrical system malfunction and erroneous fuel gauge readings, and, a loss of en…A defective alternator wire splice that resulted in an intermittent electrical system malfunction and erroneous fuel gauge readings, and, a loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. |
| Oct 01, 2008 | Fullerton, CA | N2190W | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot's failure to follow the takeoff checklist and verify the proper flap setting before takeoff. |
| Jun 12, 2008 | Beaver, UT | N233GW | Serious (1) | substantial |
The pilot's failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed during the initial climb as a result of his inadequate preflight planning and improper…The pilot's failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed during the initial climb as a result of his inadequate preflight planning and improper use of the mixture control. Contributing to the accident were the tailwind and high density altitude. |
| Nov 26, 2006 | Warroad, MN | N380SP | Serious | — | The propeller striking the individual who was positioning the propeller in anticipation of hand-propping the engine. |
| Jun 25, 2004 | Asheville, NC | N2116P | Serious (1) | substantial | The CFII's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clear of objects during flight. Factors were clouds and dark night. |
| Feb 21, 2003 | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | N3550X | Serious (1) | substantial |
the student pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control during the touch-and-go …the student pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control during the touch-and-go takeoff. A factor was his improper use of (failure to reduce) the throttle and normal brakes during the accident sequence. |
| Aug 04, 2002 | Marietta, OK | N431ME | Serious (3) | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall. |
| Nov 15, 2001 | Leesburg, VA | N346ME | Serious (1) | destroyed | The pilot's improper stowage of hazardous material. |
| Aug 06, 2001 | COOPER LANDING, AK | N813SP | Serious (2) | substantial |
The pilot's inadequate remedial action to disconnect the autopilot during an uncommanded altitude deviation while in cruise flight. Factors in the ac…The pilot's inadequate remedial action to disconnect the autopilot during an uncommanded altitude deviation while in cruise flight. Factors in the accident were activation of the autopilot; the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airplane's autopilot system; her failure to attain the proper touchdown point during an emergency landing, and delayed go-around resulting in an overrun and collision with trees; the operator's insufficient training standards for the airplane, and the pilot's flight instructor's failure to provide adequate upgrade/transition training in the airplane. |
| May 24, 2001 | Cottonwood, AZ | N506ER | Serious (1) | substantial |
the student's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind conditions and the subsequent loss of aircraft control during landing roll. The flight …the student's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind conditions and the subsequent loss of aircraft control during landing roll. The flight instructor’s inadequate supervision and his inadequate remedial action is also causal. Contributing factors were the gusty and crosswind weather conditions. |
| Jan 19, 2001 | AUSTELL, GA | N43PD | Serious (1) | destroyed |
The pilots failure to follow instrument flight procedures and descended below the published the minimum descent altitude and subsequently collided wi…The pilots failure to follow instrument flight procedures and descended below the published the minimum descent altitude and subsequently collided with trees short of the runway. |