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
Sep 24, 1999 GALENA, AK N5309R Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to refuel, and the resulting fuel exhaustion. A factor was the dark night which hampered location of a nearby closed, and unlit, …

The pilot's failure to refuel, and the resulting fuel exhaustion. A factor was the dark night which hampered location of a nearby closed, and unlit, airstrip.

Sep 21, 1999 FRIENDLY, MD N63325 Incident substantial The pilot's misjudgment of speed during the landing approach. The inoperative airspeed indicator was a contributing factor.
Sep 19, 1999 MOONTOWN, AL N734TC Incident substantial
The pilot's decision to land on a runway with a quartering tailwind, his failure to obtain the proper touchdown point on the runway, and his delay in …

The pilot's decision to land on a runway with a quartering tailwind, his failure to obtain the proper touchdown point on the runway, and his delay in aborting the takeoff phase of a touch and go landing, resulting in the aircraft overrunning the runway, colliding with a ditch, and nosing over.

Sep 19, 1999 DELTA, CO N4262L Incident substantial
A forced landing due to fuel exhaustion. Factors were inadequate preflight planing, inadequate in-flight planing and rough uneven, unsuitable terrain…

A forced landing due to fuel exhaustion. Factors were inadequate preflight planing, inadequate in-flight planing and rough uneven, unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.

Sep 19, 1999 HONEOYE FALLS, NY N6941A Minor substantial the pilot's loss of directional control after landing. A factor in the accident were ruts in the turf runway that were hidden from view.
Sep 17, 1999 MOUNTAIN HOME, AR N84697 Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to obtain runway alignment. Factors were the dark night conditions, an embankment, and the pilot's lack of total experience flying…

The pilot's failure to obtain runway alignment. Factors were the dark night conditions, an embankment, and the pilot's lack of total experience flying at night.

Sep 17, 1999 MERCED, CA N2339E Incident substantial
The pilot's premature retraction of the flaps during an attempted go-around with insufficient airspeed, which led to an inadvertent stall/mush conditi…

The pilot's premature retraction of the flaps during an attempted go-around with insufficient airspeed, which led to an inadvertent stall/mush condition.

Sep 16, 1999 PLATTSBURG, MO N1406F Fatal (3) destroyed the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the initial climb. A factor relating to this accident was the inadvertent stall/spin.
Sep 12, 1999 SAN JOSE, CA N534CA Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout during taxi. Sun glare was a factor in the accident.
Sep 12, 1999 FORT SMITH, AR N9724B Incident substantial The failure of the electric pump motor/hydraulic power pack resulting in the collapse of the right main landing gear upon landing.
Sep 11, 1999 DALEVILLE, IN N172DJ Minor substantial A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Sep 11, 1999 TAHOLA, WA N8995V Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate directional control and his failure to maintain clearance from trees along the side of the landing area. Factors include a land…

The pilot's inadequate directional control and his failure to maintain clearance from trees along the side of the landing area. Factors include a landing area surrounded by tall trees.

Sep 09, 1999 PICKRELL, NE N84385 Incident substantial the loose oil dipstick guide tube resulting in loss of oil and the engine failure. The night condition was a contributing factor.
Sep 06, 1999 HOUSTON, MS N9785T Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to switch the magneto switch to the both position before attempting a takeoff that resulted in the loss of engine power and result…

The pilot's failure to switch the magneto switch to the both position before attempting a takeoff that resulted in the loss of engine power and resulted in the subsequent collision with trees.

Sep 06, 1999 BUCHANAN, GA N7883U Incident substantial
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Factors were conditions favorable for the formation of carburetor ice during glide and cruise, and …

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Factors were conditions favorable for the formation of carburetor ice during glide and cruise, and rough and uneven terrain.

Sep 05, 1999 CARLSBAD, CA N733WX Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance from obstacles during taxi in a confined space.
Sep 04, 1999 LAKELAND, FL N172AN Incident substantial
The student pilots improper use of brakes on landing rollout resulting in a loss of directional control and subsequent collision with a ditch. Contrib…

The student pilots improper use of brakes on landing rollout resulting in a loss of directional control and subsequent collision with a ditch. Contributing to the accident was the certified flight instructors improper supervision of the student pilot.

Sep 04, 1999 SOUTH WAYNE, WI N2972U Serious (1) substantial
the pilot's improper selection of an emergency field and failure to maintain clearance from the trees. The cause of the loss of engine power was not …

the pilot's improper selection of an emergency field and failure to maintain clearance from the trees. The cause of the loss of engine power was not determined.

Sep 03, 1999 ENGLEWOOD, CO N62740 Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the flare for landing/touchdown phase of flight. A factor was a ditch off the side of the ru…

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the flare for landing/touchdown phase of flight. A factor was a ditch off the side of the runway.

Aug 29, 1999 SUSSEX, NJ N737CJ Fatal (3) substantial
The pilot's improper decision to takeoff with a tailwind. Factor's in this accident were the tailwind condition and pressure to depart caused by othe…

The pilot's improper decision to takeoff with a tailwind. Factor's in this accident were the tailwind condition and pressure to depart caused by other airplanes performing successful downwind departures.

Aug 27, 1999 OLIVE BRANCH, MS N4521E Incident substantial the pilot misjudged the flare, resulting in the nose gear impacting the runway, and a bounced landing.
Aug 26, 1999 BLOOMINGTON, IL N61612 Incident substantial the pilot's inadequate visual lookout and not performing a maneuver to avoid obstructions. A factor was the road signs.
Aug 25, 1999 DYKE, VA N733DH Fatal (4) destroyed
The pilot's inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his inability to see the rapidly rising terrain. A factor…

The pilot's inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in his inability to see the rapidly rising terrain. A factor was the pilot's inaccurate evaluation of the weather.

Aug 23, 1999 HAMPTON, GA N55218 Incident substantial
Was the failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain directional control after touchdown following a bounced landing, resulting in the on-ground collis…

Was the failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain directional control after touchdown following a bounced landing, resulting in the on-ground collision with a taxiway sign and the separation of the right main landing gear.

Aug 21, 1999 MIAMI, FL N6231V Incident substantial
The delay by the pilot-in-command to extend the gear resulting in collapse of the main landing gear after touchdown. Factors in the accident were the …

The delay by the pilot-in-command to extend the gear resulting in collapse of the main landing gear after touchdown. Factors in the accident were the inoperative gear warning system associated with the throttle due to the broken wire at the throttle microswitch, and the overstress failure of the rudder trim chain master link clip which resulted in disconnection of the rudder trim while trimmed full left.

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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