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 15, 2000 NEAR MUSKEGON, MI N560SP Minor substantial
the pilot failed to maintain altitude after inadvertently flying to instrument meteorological conditions. Factors associated with the accident were t…

the pilot failed to maintain altitude after inadvertently flying to instrument meteorological conditions. Factors associated with the accident were the low ceilings and visibility, the pilot became disoriented after inadvertently flying into IMC, and the pilot was not instrument rated.

Apr 14, 2000 GROTTOES, VA N1404F Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot's loss of control of the airplane in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. Factors included th…

The pilot's loss of control of the airplane in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. Factors included the pilot's lack of instrument time under actual conditions, and his lack of recent instrument flight experience.

Apr 13, 2000 CHESTERFIELD, MO N5909E Incident substantial the pilot misjudged the landing flare which resulted in the airplane porpoising on the runway during the landing.
Apr 11, 2000 SEATTLE, WA N38GF Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to attain proper alignment with the landing runway, and her failure to maintain proper glide path for the landing runway, resultin…

The pilot's failure to attain proper alignment with the landing runway, and her failure to maintain proper glide path for the landing runway, resulting in an encounter with vortex turbulence from a preceding heavy aircraft landing on a parallel runway and subsequent loss of aircraft control. Factors included the pilot's lack of total flying experience, and crosswind conditions conducive to a vortex turbulence encounter.

Apr 11, 2000 LAKEPORT, CA N6104G Incident substantial
The pilot's decision to continue with a high, steep, and fast approach, which resulted in a touchdown beyond the halfway point of the runway and the i…

The pilot's decision to continue with a high, steep, and fast approach, which resulted in a touchdown beyond the halfway point of the runway and the inability to stop on the remaining pavement, and, his delayed decision to initiate a landing abort. Also causal was the pilot's failure to retract the flaps to the go around/aborted landing position.

Apr 08, 2000 FORT COLLINS, CO N65312 Incident substantial
On ground loss of control resulting in collision with airport markings due to inadequate compensation for wind conditions during landing roll. Factor…

On ground loss of control resulting in collision with airport markings due to inadequate compensation for wind conditions during landing roll. Factors were inaccurate in flight planning by landing with a tail wind component and lack of total pilot experience.

Apr 07, 2000 LUBBOCK, TX N5682T Minor substantial
The pilot's incorrect positioning of the fuel selector which resulted in fuel starvation. Factors were the pilot's lack of familiarity with the fuel …

The pilot's incorrect positioning of the fuel selector which resulted in fuel starvation. Factors were the pilot's lack of familiarity with the fuel system due to an inadequate checkout by a flight instructor, and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Apr 06, 2000 NORTH ADAMS, MA N738CG Incident substantial The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point. A factor was a tailwind.
Mar 30, 2000 BALLSTON SPA, NY N98574 Fatal (2) destroyed a loss of control for undetermined reason(s).
Mar 29, 2000 ST. PETERSBURG, FL N9400L Incident substantial The failure of the pilot to maintain clearance between the left wingtip and a hangar door resulting in the on-ground collision.
Mar 26, 2000 SISSONVILLE, WV N7879T Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment during takeoff. A factor in the accident was wind gusts.
Mar 25, 2000 CORONA, CA N7354A Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, and his improper remedial actions that led to a precautionary landing and subsequent attempted takeoff from…

The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, and his improper remedial actions that led to a precautionary landing and subsequent attempted takeoff from unsuitable terrain.

Mar 24, 2000 MAUD, OK N75958 Incident substantial
the loss of engine power while maneuvering as a result of the separation of the exhaust rocker arm retaining stud due to fatigue, which resulted in a …

the loss of engine power while maneuvering as a result of the separation of the exhaust rocker arm retaining stud due to fatigue, which resulted in a precautionary landing.

Mar 24, 2000 FARMINGDALE, NJ N52633 Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor in the accident was the pilot's use of exces…

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane which resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor in the accident was the pilot's use of excessive nose-down elevator trim.

Mar 22, 2000 QUINCY, WA N229CP Incident substantial Failure to maintain terrain clearance. Factors include mountainous/hilly terrain.
Mar 19, 2000 NEW BRIGHTON, PA N6261E Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty wind conditions. A factor was the windshear encountered on final approach.
Mar 18, 2000 SACRAMENTO, CA N80205 Incident substantial
The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the takeoff roll. A rough, uneven runway surface was a factor in the …

The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the takeoff roll. A rough, uneven runway surface was a factor in the accident.

Mar 10, 2000 BEAUFORT, NC N3875Q Incident substantial
The failure of the pilot to initiate a go-around after the airplane began to porpoise, resulting in a hard landing and structural damage to the airpla…

The failure of the pilot to initiate a go-around after the airplane began to porpoise, resulting in a hard landing and structural damage to the airplane.

Mar 07, 2000 MANILLA, AR N20179 Minor substantial The pilot's performance of low altitude flight and his failure to maintain clearance with the power lines.
Feb 26, 2000 ALPINE, TX N46469 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during landing. A factor was the crosswind condition.
Feb 21, 2000 WATERFORD, MI N922TA Incident substantial
the directional control not obtained/maintained by the dual student and the remedial action not performed by the certified flight instructor. Contrib…

the directional control not obtained/maintained by the dual student and the remedial action not performed by the certified flight instructor. Contributing factors were the crosswind and the snow bank.

Feb 15, 2000 PARKERTOWN, OH N1742V Incident substantial The inadequate visual lookout by the pilots of both airplanes.
Feb 13, 2000 NORRIDGEWOCK, ME N5679R Incident substantial the student pilot's loss of directional control during the takeoff roll.
Feb 09, 2000 LYNDONVILLE, VT N8328B Incident substantial the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. A factor in the accident was the ditch that ran parallel to the runway.
Feb 07, 2000 OLIVE BRANCH, MS N2630B Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing and the subsequent collision with a taxiway sign and collapsed right main l…

The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing and the subsequent collision with a taxiway sign and collapsed right main landing gear.

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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