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
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.

Feb 05, 2000 CHESTERFIELD, MO N738EJ Incident substantial The pilot failed to maintain directional control during the takeoff portion of a touch and go landing.
Jan 25, 2000 LINCOLNTON, GA N2469E Incident substantial The pilot's failure to remove ice from the wings prior to takeoff resulting in the aircraft not climbing after takeoff and colliding with a tree.
Jan 23, 2000 SQUAMISH, CA N1673V Incident substantial Investigation pending
Jan 19, 2000 TOOELE, UT N6445B Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to correct the descent, and his failure to maintain a visual lookout. Factors were the pilot's improper weather evaluation, his l…

The pilot's failure to correct the descent, and his failure to maintain a visual lookout. Factors were the pilot's improper weather evaluation, his lack of recent experience in type of operation, his inadvertent encounter with instrument meteorological conditions at night, fog, and rising terrain.

Jan 17, 2000 LIBERAL, KS N12654 Minor substantial
the pilot not maintaining proper glidepath on the ILS approach, the pilot's improper decision to continue the approach below the glidepath, and the pi…

the pilot not maintaining proper glidepath on the ILS approach, the pilot's improper decision to continue the approach below the glidepath, and the pilot's failure to perform a missed approach. Factors relating to the accident were the low ceiling and visibility, and the fog.

Jan 10, 2000 ANGLETON, TX N8292 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing. A factor was the gust of wind.
Jan 08, 2000 HUNTSVILLE, UT N65710 Incident substantial The snow shower, and the lack of suitable terrain for the precautionary landing.
Jan 06, 2000 Atlantic Ocean, AO N156RA Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot's lack of total experience in instrument flight, simulated instrument flight, and night flight resulting in the pilot becoming spatially dis…

The pilot's lack of total experience in instrument flight, simulated instrument flight, and night flight resulting in the pilot becoming spatially disoriented, and subsequent in-flight collision with water. Contributing to the accident was the dark night with no visible horizon.

Jan 03, 2000 VICTORVILLE, CA N3690L Incident substantial
The failure of the pilot to maintain positional awareness, which resulted in his becoming lost and disoriented. Contributing factors were the pilot's …

The failure of the pilot to maintain positional awareness, which resulted in his becoming lost and disoriented. Contributing factors were the pilot's delay requesting assistance from air traffic control and the failure of the airplane's electrical generator.

Jan 02, 2000 DOS PALOS, CA N7249T Minor substantial
A partial loss of engine power due to the failure of maintenance personnel to properly install and safety the throttle arm to the carburetor throttle …

A partial loss of engine power due to the failure of maintenance personnel to properly install and safety the throttle arm to the carburetor throttle shaft.

Dec 28, 1999 NEW ORLEANS, LA N172GT Incident substantial
The pilot's inadvertent starting of the engine. Factors were the pilot's failure to set the mixture control to the off position, and the intermittent…

The pilot's inadvertent starting of the engine. Factors were the pilot's failure to set the mixture control to the off position, and the intermittent short in the starter switch.

Dec 22, 1999 LEOMINSTER, MA N672DW Fatal (1) destroyed
The student pilot's failure to see and avoid the private pilot's airplane. Factors included the student pilot's non-standard traffic pattern entry, t…

The student pilot's failure to see and avoid the private pilot's airplane. Factors included the student pilot's non-standard traffic pattern entry, the private pilot's failure to check for other traffic before turning onto final, and the position of the sun at the time of the accident.

Dec 21, 1999 MELBOURNE, FL N8182E Incident substantial The certified flight instructor's improper touchdown flare that resulted in a hard landing.
Dec 18, 1999 FORT WORTH, TX N8250U Incident substantial The student pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a porpoise.
Dec 18, 1999 SHOSHONE, CA N34261 Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing strong and gusting wind conditions and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control.
Dec 17, 1999 SUGAR LAND, TX N912JR Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing roll.
Dec 17, 1999 CONCORD, CA N738UA Minor substantial the pilot's failure to use a checklist and remove the control gust lock.
Dec 12, 1999 SPRINGHILL, LA N739ST Minor substantial
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. Factors were the gusty winds, and the pilo…

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. Factors were the gusty winds, and the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation.

Dec 09, 1999 AVA, MO N69LM Incident substantial
the improper in-flight decision made by the pilot. Factors to the accident were the charts/other manuals depicting the incorrect frequency, the dirt …

the improper in-flight decision made by the pilot. Factors to the accident were the charts/other manuals depicting the incorrect frequency, the dirt bank, and the rocks.

Dec 09, 1999 PIKEVILLE, NC N9234H Serious (1) substantial
The inadequate supervision of the private-rated pilot by the certified flight instructor for allowing the airplane to impact terrain during a simulate…

The inadequate supervision of the private-rated pilot by the certified flight instructor for allowing the airplane to impact terrain during a simulated forced landing procedure to an open field.

Dec 08, 1999 WOOSTER, OH N7565G Incident substantial The pilot's inadvertent taxi onto unsuitable terrain. A factor was the burnt out landing/taxi light.
Nov 23, 1999 GREENFIELD, IN N65668 Minor substantial The student pilot not maintaining aircraft control. A contributing factor was the student's aural perception.
Nov 22, 1999 DEFUNIAK SPGS, FL N733AH Incident substantial
Was the pilot's failure to obtain a proper weather briefing resulting in his encounter with fog, his having to make a precautionary landing in a field…

Was the pilot's failure to obtain a proper weather briefing resulting in his encounter with fog, his having to make a precautionary landing in a field when the aircraft became low on fuel, and the on ground collision with trees during landing roll.

Nov 21, 1999 PHILLIPI, WV N758LR Incident substantial The pilot's improper flare that resulted in a hard landing.
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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