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
Jul 17, 2003 Watkins, CO N98969 Incident substantial
the right seat shifting aft during the take off roll, rendering aircraft control not possible by the flight instructor. Contributing factors include …

the right seat shifting aft during the take off roll, rendering aircraft control not possible by the flight instructor. Contributing factors include the inboard seat pin which did not engage fully, the outboard seat pin which was installed incorrectly, the inadequate installation procedures provided by the manufacturer and the parked aircraft on the ramp.

Jul 14, 2003 Pinckneyville, IL N98395 Incident substantial
The planned approach not maintained by the pilot and the delayed remedial action by the certified flight instructor. A contributing factor to the acc…

The planned approach not maintained by the pilot and the delayed remedial action by the certified flight instructor. A contributing factor to the accident was the approach light.

Jul 12, 2003 Chandler, AZ N5327G Incident substantial
The pilot's misjudged landing flare, improper recovery from a bounced landing and failure to maintain directional control, resulting in a runway sign …

The pilot's misjudged landing flare, improper recovery from a bounced landing and failure to maintain directional control, resulting in a runway sign collision.

Jul 12, 2003 Sullivan Lake, WA N2805L Serious (1) substantial The pilot-in-command's downwind landing. A contributing factor was the tailwind condition.
Jul 10, 2003 Phoenix, AZ N787WW Incident substantial The student's misjudged landing flare and inadvertent entry into a porpoise pilot-induced oscillation.
Jul 09, 2003 McAllen, TX N13368 Fatal (2) destroyed The pilot's failure to recover from a bounced landing which resulted in a loss of control. Contributing factors were the gusty winds.
Jul 08, 2003 McKinney, TX N166ME Fatal (2) destroyed
The CFI's failure to maintain airspeed sufficient for flight resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin during the forced landing. A contributing factor …

The CFI's failure to maintain airspeed sufficient for flight resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin during the forced landing. A contributing factor was the impact with a bird, which affected the performance of the airplane.

Jul 04, 2003 Seldovia, AK N63541 Incident substantial
The failure of company maintenance personnel to properly maintain the airplane's brake system, which resulted in a loss of the right brake during land…

The failure of company maintenance personnel to properly maintain the airplane's brake system, which resulted in a loss of the right brake during landing roll due to a chafed brake line.

Jul 02, 2003 Roscommon, MI N172DE Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a water landing. A factor contributing to the accident was the rough water.
Jul 02, 2003 Linden, NJ N314TM Minor substantial The mechanic's improper installation of the carburetor, and his failure to secure the mixture control wire to the mixture control arm pivot bolt.
Jun 30, 2003 Plymouth, IN N3832R Incident substantial The collision with a deer during landing.
Jun 29, 2003 White Marsh, MD N5138G Minor substantial
The pilot's in-flight decision to not land and refuel, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. A factor in the accident was the pilot's inadequate communi…

The pilot's in-flight decision to not land and refuel, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. A factor in the accident was the pilot's inadequate communications.

Jun 27, 2003 Romeo, MI N739NW Incident substantial The pilot not maintaining directional control during landing. A factor to the accident was the parked airplane.
Jun 25, 2003 Skagway, AK N736QK Fatal (2) substantial
The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with mountainous terrain. Fac…

The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with mountainous terrain. Factors associated with the accident were low ceilings, rain, and fog.

Jun 25, 2003 Bristow, OK N20679 Serious (2) substantial The pilot's premature retracting of the flaps, and his failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall.
Jun 22, 2003 Beaumont, TX N753MF Serious (1) substantial
The instructor's delay in executing a go-around and his failure to maintain aircraft control due to inadequate compensation of wind gusts. A contrib…

The instructor's delay in executing a go-around and his failure to maintain aircraft control due to inadequate compensation of wind gusts. A contributing factor was the gusty winds.

Jun 22, 2003 San Antonio, TX N912KD Serious (1) substantial The pilot misjudged his altitude and airspeed, and his failure to perform a go-around.
Jun 22, 2003 Overton, NV N7342G Incident substantial
the student pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed and his premature raising of the flaps during a go-around, which led to an inadvertent st…

the student pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed and his premature raising of the flaps during a go-around, which led to an inadvertent stall/mush. The flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight is also causal.

Jun 22, 2003 Cambelltown, AS VHTUR Fatal (4) destroyed Investigation pending
Jun 18, 2003 Melbourne, FL N53352 Incident substantial
The pilot's improper flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to maintain directional cont…

The pilot's improper flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his failure to execute a go-around.

Jun 15, 2003 Seattle, WA N9566L Incident substantial
The dual student's failure to maintain aircraft control and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. Contributing factors were the crosswind …

The dual student's failure to maintain aircraft control and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. Contributing factors were the crosswind condition and the flight instructor's lack of experience.

Jun 15, 2003 Gridley, IL N20553 Minor substantial
The checklist not followed by the pilot and the fuel starvation of the engine. The incorrect fuel tank selector position by the pilot,, and the lack …

The checklist not followed by the pilot and the fuel starvation of the engine. The incorrect fuel tank selector position by the pilot,, and the lack of recurrent training were contributing factors.

Jun 14, 2003 Anoka, MN N2238E Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point, and his failure to maintain directional control. Contributing factors were the pilot's lac…

The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point, and his failure to maintain directional control. Contributing factors were the pilot's lack of experience, and the runway sign.

Jun 11, 2003 East Vincent, PA N3027U Minor substantial
The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/preparation which resulted in fuel exhaustion during cruise flight. The pilot's inadequate preflight prepar…

The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/preparation which resulted in fuel exhaustion during cruise flight. The pilot's inadequate preflight preparation in which he failed to refuel the airplane is a contributing factor.

Jun 08, 2003 Sheboygan, WI N63319 Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot failed to maintain control of the airplane after encountering instrument meteorological conditions during takeoff. Factors associated with …

The pilot failed to maintain control of the airplane after encountering instrument meteorological conditions during takeoff. Factors associated with the accident were the low ceiling, fog and lack of instrument rating.

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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