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
May 28, 2001 Georgetown, TX N5447J Minor substantial
the pilot's failure to refuel the aircraft resulting in fuel exhaustion during cruise flight. A contributing factor was the gusty wind encountered du…

the pilot's failure to refuel the aircraft resulting in fuel exhaustion during cruise flight. A contributing factor was the gusty wind encountered during the forced landing.

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.

May 21, 2001 Anchorage, AK N98426 Incident substantial The pilot's selection of an unsuitable taxi area during taxi. A factor associated with the accident was a tree.
May 19, 2001 Rogersburg, WA N4053F Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while on final approach for landing. A tailwind was a factor.
May 19, 2001 Alton, IL N9532K Incident substantial The misjudged flare by the pilot.
May 12, 2001 Grants Pass, OR N62961 Minor substantial
The pilot's failure or inability to maintain proper runway alignment during landing. Factors included gusty crosswind conditions and the pilot's lack…

The pilot's failure or inability to maintain proper runway alignment during landing. Factors included gusty crosswind conditions and the pilot's lack of experience in crosswind landings.

May 12, 2001 McMinnville, OR N1264U Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions while doing a touch-and-go landing.
May 12, 2001 ASHLAND, ME N1674E Minor substantial loss of partial engine power due to carburetor icing.
May 09, 2001 West Chicago, IL N13474 Incident substantial
The inadequate compensation for the crosswind by the student pilot. Additional factors included the student pilot's lack of total flight time, the r…

The inadequate compensation for the crosswind by the student pilot. Additional factors included the student pilot's lack of total flight time, the runway sign and the crosswind.

May 09, 2001 Springfield, MO N142ME Incident substantial the excessive touchdown airspeed by the pilot.
May 06, 2001 WICHITA, KS N733RK Fatal (2) destroyed
the student pilot not maintaining clearance from the tower support wire during the practice emergency landing maneuver and the instructor pilot's inad…

the student pilot not maintaining clearance from the tower support wire during the practice emergency landing maneuver and the instructor pilot's inadequate supervision of the student pilot. Factors relating to the accident were the static wire and the low altitude.

May 06, 2001 FORT PIERCE, FL N8664U Incident substantial a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion which resulted in a forced landing, and subsequent impact with a sign and a ditch.
May 05, 2001 SOLDOTNA, AK N5530T Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to refuel the airplane, and subsequent fuel exhaustion. A factor in the accident was an inadvertent stall during an emergency des…

The pilot's failure to refuel the airplane, and subsequent fuel exhaustion. A factor in the accident was an inadvertent stall during an emergency descent/landing.

May 04, 2001 Patterson, LA N5247R Incident substantial the pilot's failure to maintain control during the go-around. A contributing factor was the wind gust.
May 03, 2001 Washington, OK N9696B Minor substantial
the in-flight fire for an undetermined reason, which resulted in a forced landing. A contributory factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the for…

the in-flight fire for an undetermined reason, which resulted in a forced landing. A contributory factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Apr 30, 2001 Marfa, TX N6388F Minor substantial
fuel exhaustion resulting in a total loss of engine power in cruise flight due to the pilot's failure to refuel the aircraft. Contributing factors we…

fuel exhaustion resulting in a total loss of engine power in cruise flight due to the pilot's failure to refuel the aircraft. Contributing factors were the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing, and the dark night condition.

Apr 29, 2001 Eveleth, MN N12891 Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions which resulted in the loss of aircraft control. Factors associated with the accident…

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions which resulted in the loss of aircraft control. Factors associated with the accident were the gusty crosswind condition, the pilot's lack of experience, and the trees which were contacted.

Apr 29, 2001 Hodgenville, KY N106ME Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment during landing. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in conducting soft field…

The pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment during landing. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in conducting soft field landings.

Apr 29, 2001 Pleasanton, TX N64776 Incident substantial
the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare/touchdown. Contributory factors were the gusty wind and the stud…

the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare/touchdown. Contributory factors were the gusty wind and the student pilot's lack of total flight experience.

Apr 26, 2001 N. Little Rock, AR N3860L Incident substantial the pilot's delayed go-around on landing.
Apr 24, 2001 Renton, WA N435SP Incident substantial A Canadian goose which crossed the aircraft's flight path and impacted the left wing during the aircraft's final approach.
Apr 22, 2001 Honesdale, PA N79210 Incident substantial The pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll. A factor was gusting winds.
Apr 21, 2001 Sultan, WA N8402E Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees and terrain during the airplane's initial climb.
Apr 19, 2001 Torrance, CA N97984 Incident substantial
The failure of the pilot-in-command to execute a proper landing flare, which resulted in an improper touchdown attitude and a subsequent loss of direc…

The failure of the pilot-in-command to execute a proper landing flare, which resulted in an improper touchdown attitude and a subsequent loss of directional control. A factor in the accident was the difference between landing characteristics of the Katana and the Cessna 172, and the resulting habit interference for the pilot.

Apr 18, 2001 Lancaster, CA N4672L Serious (2) substantial
The pilot's delay reversing course while flying toward rising terrain in a box canyon. Factors in the accident included a downdraft on the lee side o…

The pilot's delay reversing course while flying toward rising terrain in a box canyon. Factors in the accident included a downdraft on the lee side of a ridge forming the box canyon, high density altitude, and the pilot's improper use of flaps.

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 495 Cessna 172 for sale ↓