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 31, 2002 Fort Collins, CO N5088K Incident substantial
the student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and subsequent inadvertent stall/mush into terrain during a soft field take off. Contributin…

the student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and subsequent inadvertent stall/mush into terrain during a soft field take off. Contributing factors include the pilot's lack of experience and the high density altitude conditions.

Jul 30, 2002 Fairbanks, AK N739PB Incident The failure of both pilots to maintain adequate visual outlook while taxiing.
Jul 26, 2002 Georgetown, CO CGKRA Minor substantial
the pilot's inadequate preflight planning for a flight through high mountainous terrain, and the pilot committing himself to a mountainous flight path…

the pilot's inadequate preflight planning for a flight through high mountainous terrain, and the pilot committing himself to a mountainous flight path where terrain clearance was not possible. Contributing factors were the high density altitude weather condition, and the rising mountainous terrain.

Jul 26, 2002 Creston, CA N5268K Incident substantial
the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power. A factor in the accident was the dark…

the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power. A factor in the accident was the dark night conditions.

Jul 18, 2002 Spearfish, SD N1373E Incident substantial
The probable cause of this accident was the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll. Differences in c…

The probable cause of this accident was the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll. Differences in control forces and aircraft handling due to initiating the takeoff without fully retracting the flaps is a contributing factor.

Jul 17, 2002 Tyner, NC N928CP Fatal (3) destroyed The loss of power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed.
Jul 15, 2002 Barre, VT N43860 Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a go-around attempt, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and a subsequent impact with trees. A fac…

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a go-around attempt, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and a subsequent impact with trees. A factor was the pilot's delayed initiation of the go-around.

Jul 14, 2002 Middletown, RI N733NQ Incident substantial The pilot's improper flare. A factor was the shifting wind.
Jul 12, 2002 Merritt Island, FL N54119 Incident substantial The pilot's improper recovery after a bounced landing and improper landing flare which resulted in the airplane colliding with the runway.
Jul 11, 2002 Pickens, SC N737CQ Incident substantial
The pilot's improper preflight planning/preparation that resulted in the airplane's gust lock being left installed which resulted in a loss of control…

The pilot's improper preflight planning/preparation that resulted in the airplane's gust lock being left installed which resulted in a loss of control during the takeoff roll and damage to the airplane when it exited the departure end of the runway and collided with trees.

Jul 11, 2002 West Milford, NJ N1502E Incident substantial The flight instructor's improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Jul 08, 2002 Denton, TX N7550X Fatal (1) substantial The pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude. Contributing factors were the pilot's diverted attention and the runway localizer antenna.
Jul 06, 2002 Otis, OR N738QT Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance with power lines while conducting low altitude flight resulting in a loss of control and subsequent…

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance with power lines while conducting low altitude flight resulting in a loss of control and subsequent collision with terrain. Contributing factors were the pilot's low altitude flight and the power lines.

Jul 04, 2002 Fulton, NY N6338F Incident substantial The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a misaligned, hard landing.
Jul 02, 2002 Battle Ground, WA N37065 Incident substantial
Improper maintenance procedures by maintenance personnel, which resulted in an engine oil leak while in flight. A factor was the pilot's misjudgment…

Improper maintenance procedures by maintenance personnel, which resulted in an engine oil leak while in flight. A factor was the pilot's misjudgment of distance during the precautionary landing which led to a runway overrun.

Jun 29, 2002 Hite, UT N725EC Incident substantial
the pilot's improper in-flight planning resulting in fuel exhaustion. A factor relating to the accident was the unsuitable terrain encountered during…

the pilot's improper in-flight planning resulting in fuel exhaustion. A factor relating to the accident was the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing attempt.

Jun 27, 2002 Perry, GA N4406L Serious (2) substantial The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection that resulted in fuel starvation due to fuel system contamination and the subsequent loss of engine power.
Jun 24, 2002 NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV N160RA Incident substantial The pilot's decision to continue the flight after dark with an inoperative taxi/landing light deficiency, and his unfamiliarity with the taxiways.
Jun 22, 2002 Marietta, GA N739PF Incident substantial
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the airplane departing the left side of the runway, imp…

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the airplane departing the left side of the runway, impacting with a gully and nosing over.

Jun 22, 2002 Lynchburg, VA N5408E Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane, a factor was the tailwind.
Jun 21, 2002 Rutland, VT N739RS Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff attempt.
Jun 20, 2002 Minneapolis, MN N4808F Incident substantial The pilot did not maintain clearance from the vehicle while taxiing. A factor was the fuel truck.
Jun 20, 2002 Troutdale, OR N5383T Minor substantial
A loss of engine power for an undetermined (non-mechanical) reason. Contributing factors were high grass and soft terrain which lead to the collapse …

A loss of engine power for an undetermined (non-mechanical) reason. Contributing factors were high grass and soft terrain which lead to the collapse of the nose gear during the landing roll.

Jun 19, 2002 Telluride, CO N9089H Incident substantial
the pilot not maintaining proper aircraft control resulting in a hard landing. Factors contributing to this accident were the high airspeed, the porp…

the pilot not maintaining proper aircraft control resulting in a hard landing. Factors contributing to this accident were the high airspeed, the porpoise encountered during the landing, and the pilot's delayed remedial action resulting in the damage to the airplane.

Jun 17, 2002 Butler, MO N5953R Minor substantial
The fuel exhaustion, the inadequate fuel consumption calculations by the pilot, and the inadequate in-flight planning/decision by the pilot. The unsu…

The fuel exhaustion, the inadequate fuel consumption calculations by the pilot, and the inadequate in-flight planning/decision by the pilot. The unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing is a contributing factor.

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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