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
Apr 27, 2003 Burnham, PA N758XB Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
Apr 27, 2003 South Ponotoc, MS N2371U Incident substantial
the pilot's failure to maintain altitude and aircraft control during a low pass over a grass runway, which resulted in the airplane impacting the grou…

the pilot's failure to maintain altitude and aircraft control during a low pass over a grass runway, which resulted in the airplane impacting the ground.

Apr 27, 2003 Lantana, FL N51898 Incident substantial
the pilot's use of excessive airspeed and the improper touchdown point during the landing roll, which resulted in the airplane departing the runway, a…

the pilot's use of excessive airspeed and the improper touchdown point during the landing roll, which resulted in the airplane departing the runway, and impacting with trees.

Apr 26, 2003 Colo. Springs, CO N54202 Incident substantial
the student pilot's failure to obtain and maintain adequate altitude during the go-around. Factors contributing to the accident were the encountered …

the student pilot's failure to obtain and maintain adequate altitude during the go-around. Factors contributing to the accident were the encountered windshear, the student pilot's premature raising of the flaps, the instructor pilot's inadequate supervision, and the berm.

Apr 22, 2003 Pecos, TX N1667Y Minor substantial The failure of the pilot to maintain aircraft control while landing. A contributing factor was the gusty wind condition.
Apr 12, 2003 Melbourne, FL N52903 Incident substantial The student pilot's improper throttle setting during the braking test, resulting in a collision with a parked airplane.
Apr 12, 2003 Holt, MO N3831R Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor to the accident were…

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor to the accident were the trees.

Apr 11, 2003 Carbondale, IL N6317D Incident substantial The pilot failed to properly recover from a bounced landing which resulted in the airplane porpoising.
Apr 11, 2003 Grayslake, IL N389SP Incident substantial
The flight instuctor's improper in-flight decision to land with a tailwind and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing.…

The flight instuctor's improper in-flight decision to land with a tailwind and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. Factors contributing to the accident were the tailwind, the student pilot's inadequate flare, and the muddy terrain.

Apr 10, 2003 Foxworth, MS N738QM Incident substantial
The failure of the pilot to perform a go-around, his failure to attain the proper touchdown point, and his delay in applying the normal brakes resulti…

The failure of the pilot to perform a go-around, his failure to attain the proper touchdown point, and his delay in applying the normal brakes resulting in his inability to stop the airplane and subsequent on-ground collision with a fence.

Apr 05, 2003 Anaheim, CA N6272D Incident substantial
Failure of company maintenance personnel to correctly install and safety wire the oil drain plug, which led to a loss of engine oil and a catastrophic…

Failure of company maintenance personnel to correctly install and safety wire the oil drain plug, which led to a loss of engine oil and a catastrophic internal failure of the engine.

Apr 04, 2003 North Las Vegas, NV N553CH Fatal (2) destroyed the applicant pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin.
Mar 31, 2003 Shenandoah, VA CGIKO Incident substantial The pilot's inadvertent encounter with snow showers. Factors were the snow and the unsuitable landing area.
Mar 28, 2003 Cherokee, NC N35255 Fatal (1) destroyed The pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance, which resulted in an in-flight collision with mountainous terrain.
Mar 27, 2003 CLEVELAND, OH N613SP Incident substantial The student pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Mar 26, 2003 Tulsa, OK N6947X Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall.
Mar 24, 2003 Packwood, WA N4150L Incident substantial
Loss of partial engine power for undetermined reasons during the initial climb after takeoff. Loose gravel/sandy was a factor during the landing roll…

Loss of partial engine power for undetermined reasons during the initial climb after takeoff. Loose gravel/sandy was a factor during the landing roll.

Mar 23, 2003 Savannah, GA N13591 Serious (2) substantial
The pilot misjudged the landing distance, landed with excessive airspeed, did not attempt a go-around resulting in the airplane going off the overrun,…

The pilot misjudged the landing distance, landed with excessive airspeed, did not attempt a go-around resulting in the airplane going off the overrun, and colliding with trees.

Mar 23, 2003 Erie, CO N3544Q Minor substantial
the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during aborted landing. Contributing factors include the crosswind component, and the snow covered mu…

the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during aborted landing. Contributing factors include the crosswind component, and the snow covered muddy terrain.

Mar 23, 2003 Van Nuys, CA N63788 Serious (1) substantial
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted landing. A contributing factor is the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced …

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted landing. A contributing factor is the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.

Mar 21, 2003 Potts Camp, MS N89811 Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate planning which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a forced landing to a field, and damage to the airplane during the landing rollout.
Mar 21, 2003 Monroe, GA N219ME Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot’s exceedence of the design limits of the airplane, which resulted in the overload failure of the horizontal stabilizers, followed by the ove…

The pilot’s exceedence of the design limits of the airplane, which resulted in the overload failure of the horizontal stabilizers, followed by the overload separation of the right wing and subsequent loss of control.

Mar 17, 2003 Idaho Falls, ID N64427 Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment (centerline tracking) during a go around maneuver resulting in the aircraft impacting …

The student pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment (centerline tracking) during a go around maneuver resulting in the aircraft impacting a runway light. Contributing factors were the gusty/crosswind conditions and the light fixture.

Mar 16, 2003 Foley, MN N5315D Fatal (3) destroyed
The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions which led to spatial disorientation and subsequent impact with the groun…

The pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions which led to spatial disorientation and subsequent impact with the ground. Contributing factors was the pilot's lack of instrument rating, the pilot's disregard of the preflight briefing and his failure to follow in-flight weather advisories and a low ceiling.

Mar 14, 2003 Trefoil Island, AS VH-RPI Fatal (4) destroyed Investigation pending
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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