Cessna 172 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 6810 events recorded from 1974 to 2026.

6810

All Events

4223

Incidents

1048

Minor

542

Serious

960

Fatal (1802 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Nov 09, 2003 Winslow, AZ N75816 Incident substantial the pilot's misjudged landing flare, which resulted in a pilot induced porpoise oscillation and hard landing.
Nov 08, 2003 Kilbourne, OH N78203 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point which resulted in an overrun and subsequent nose over.
Nov 02, 2003 Lakota, ND N730SP Incident substantial
The student pilot not maintaining directional control during takeoff roll on a solo instructional flight. The factor to the accident was the wind gus…

The student pilot not maintaining directional control during takeoff roll on a solo instructional flight. The factor to the accident was the wind gusts.

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.

Oct 30, 2003 New Bern, NC N496AC Incident substantial The student pilot's improper landing flare resulting in a hard landing.
Oct 28, 2003 Bandon, OR N80628 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from objects while on final approach. Dark night conditions, trees and a low glidepath were factors.
Oct 25, 2003 Fresno, CA N738YL Incident substantial
the pilot's inadequate fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power. Also causal was the pilot's failure to follow e…

the pilot's inadequate fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power. Also causal was the pilot's failure to follow engine out emergency procedures as defined by the pilot operating handbook.

Oct 23, 2003 Montague, CA N80543 Incident substantial the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control.
Oct 21, 2003 Olive Branch, MS N75510 Fatal (1) substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain airspeed (Vso), which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin, an uncontrolled descent, and an impact with terra…

The student pilot's failure to maintain airspeed (Vso), which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin, an uncontrolled descent, and an impact with terrain. A factor in the accident was his failure to follow the airplane's operating checklist and retract the wing flaps for takeoff.

Oct 21, 2003 Melbourne, FL N734JT Incident substantial
Inadvertent full retraction of the flaps, while recovering from a bounced landing, resulting in an inadvertent stall, uncontrolled descent, and subseq…

Inadvertent full retraction of the flaps, while recovering from a bounced landing, resulting in an inadvertent stall, uncontrolled descent, and subsequent impact with terrain.

Oct 19, 2003 Everglades City, FL N933JH Minor substantial
The pilot's improper preflight planning/preparation which resulted in the airplane's gust lock being left installed, which resulted in the airplane no…

The pilot's improper preflight planning/preparation which resulted in the airplane's gust lock being left installed, which resulted in the airplane not being able lift off during the takeoff roll, and damage to the airplane when it overran the runway and crashed into the water at the end of the runway.

Oct 16, 2003 Sanford, NC N64255 Minor substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control on landing roll resulting in a collision with a ditch, and subsequent nose over.
Oct 15, 2003 Manvel, TX N3760R Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the attempted go-around resulting in an inadvertent stall. A contributing factor was the pilot's fail…

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the attempted go-around resulting in an inadvertent stall. A contributing factor was the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the crosswind landing.

Oct 15, 2003 Columbus, NE N5204F Minor substantial
The student pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during an aborted take…

The student pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during an aborted takeoff. Factors associated with the accident were the crosswind condition, the delayed aborted takeoff, and the student's lack of experience.

Oct 12, 2003 Camarillo, CA N6543V Incident substantial
The fracture and failure of the left landing gear actuator. Contributing to the accident was the operator's failure to comply with the manufacturer's…

The fracture and failure of the left landing gear actuator. Contributing to the accident was the operator's failure to comply with the manufacturer's service bulletin.

Oct 12, 2003 Pell City, AL N52254 Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind and his failure to maintain directional control during landing. A factor was the crosswind.
Oct 04, 2003 Sussex, NJ N98145 Incident substantial The flight instructor's failure to initiate a go-around. A factor was the wet runway conditions.
Oct 02, 2003 Seattle, WA N350ME Incident substantial Improper flare during the landing. Excessive airspeed and improper remedial action were factors.
Sep 30, 2003 Santa Ana, CA N9564B Incident substantial the failure of the right main landing gear pivot assembly.
Sep 25, 2003 Houston, TX N168ME Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a landing. A contributing factor was the pilot's diverted attention while performing the afte…

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a landing. A contributing factor was the pilot's diverted attention while performing the after landing check.

Sep 21, 2003 Pahrump, NV N6548D Incident substantial
the pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from the mountainous terrain while maneuvering, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terra…

the pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from the mountainous terrain while maneuvering, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain.

Sep 19, 2003 Ocean Springs, MS N79491 Incident substantial
The failure of the pilot to transfer fuel from the auxiliary fuel tank to the right main fuel tank in-flight resulting in total loss of engine power d…

The failure of the pilot to transfer fuel from the auxiliary fuel tank to the right main fuel tank in-flight resulting in total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

Sep 18, 2003 Anacortes, WA N3555L Incident substantial The pilot attempting to taxi the airplane with a known system deficiency. Factors include worn wheel brakes and a drainage ditch.
Sep 18, 2003 Perry, GA N13375 Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane, and also causal was his failure to detect water-contaminated fuel which resulted in a loss …

The pilot inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane, and also causal was his failure to detect water-contaminated fuel which resulted in a loss of engine power and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an stall.

Sep 14, 2003 Tucson, AZ N73179 Incident substantial the pilot's improper flare. A contributing factor was the tailwind.
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.
← Cessna 172 For Sale All Cessna Models
Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data
View 494 Cessna 172 for sale ↓