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 06, 1999 ADDISON, IL N739ND Minor substantial The pilot's improper fuel selector positioning resulting in fuel starvation during cruise.
Jul 03, 1999 AUBURN, WA N531PC Serious (1) substantial Total mechanical failure of the hydraulic tappet. A factor was an overdue major overhaul per manufacturer's recommendations.
Jun 30, 1999 KOKOMO, IN N2632Y Incident substantial
the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Factors to the accident were the pilot's lack of experience and the VOR s…

the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Factors to the accident were the pilot's lack of experience and the VOR station.

Jun 28, 1999 GAITHERSBURG, MD N62284 Incident substantial
was the pilot's failure to obtain the proper rotation speed and his subsequent loss of directional control. A factor in the accident was the improper…

was the pilot's failure to obtain the proper rotation speed and his subsequent loss of directional control. A factor in the accident was the improper setting of the elevator trim.

Jun 28, 1999 UNION, IN N5869R Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the sign. Factors associated with the accident were the low ceilings and the sign which was contacted.
Jun 21, 1999 SAN DIEGO, CA N61560 Serious (1) destroyed
The mechanic's improper installation of nonapproved automotive electrical system parts, and his failure to ensure that all electrical connections were…

The mechanic's improper installation of nonapproved automotive electrical system parts, and his failure to ensure that all electrical connections were secure during the reinstallation, which resulted in the failure of the electrical system. The pilot's becoming lost and disoriented during the subsequent attempt to find an airport on the dark night flight was a factor.

Jun 20, 1999 FAYETTEVILLE, WV N20952 Serious (3) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the aborted landing. A factor in this accident was the crosswind condition.
Jun 18, 1999 PLATTEVILLE, CO N5266J Incident substantial
The pilot misjudging the flare altitude, resulting in a hard landing, and his subsequent loss of aircraft control. A factor was overload forces colla…

The pilot misjudging the flare altitude, resulting in a hard landing, and his subsequent loss of aircraft control. A factor was overload forces collapsing the nose landing gear assembly.

Jun 17, 1999 CLOQUET, MN N9419E Incident destroyed a fire which initiated from an undetermined origin.
Jun 16, 1999 MILLINOCKET, ME N7897G Incident substantial The total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Jun 15, 1999 NEEDLES, CA N6448B Minor substantial
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind condition and subsequent failure to maintain alignment with the road used for takeoff, whi…

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind condition and subsequent failure to maintain alignment with the road used for takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a construction sign during the initial climb.

Jun 14, 1999 EASTON, WA N62800 Minor substantial
The flight instructor's delayed remedial action. Factors include the student allowing the aircraft to climb too steeply at too low an airspeed, and th…

The flight instructor's delayed remedial action. Factors include the student allowing the aircraft to climb too steeply at too low an airspeed, and the soft/rough terrain on which the aborted takeoff took place.

Jun 13, 1999 SEYMOUR, TN N5494K Minor substantial
The failure of the pilot to perform a go-around earlier resulting in a long landing, insufficient runway remaining to stop, and subsequent in flight c…

The failure of the pilot to perform a go-around earlier resulting in a long landing, insufficient runway remaining to stop, and subsequent in flight collision with a marked power line during an aborted landing.

Jun 12, 1999 JONESBORO, AR N2460Y Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation, and her delayed aborted takeoff. Factors were the high density altitude and the tall grass…

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation, and her delayed aborted takeoff. Factors were the high density altitude and the tall grass on the airstrip.

Jun 11, 1999 GRAND JUNCTION, CO N359DS Incident substantial
A hard landing when the pilot failed to sufficiently flare the aircraft for touch down. Factors were high-density altitude, and the pilot's lack of t…

A hard landing when the pilot failed to sufficiently flare the aircraft for touch down. Factors were high-density altitude, and the pilot's lack of total flight experience.

Jun 11, 1999 RAVENNA, OH N62953 Incident substantial The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain aircraft control during landing.
Jun 10, 1999 WEAVERVILLE, CA N5577E Incident substantial the pilot's failure to follow prescribed procedures and directives for the particular airport.
Jun 10, 1999 SPRING, TX N5103D Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the takeoff roll. Factors were the crosswind condition and the pilot's lack of total experienc…

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the takeoff roll. Factors were the crosswind condition and the pilot's lack of total experience in the make/model of aircraft.

May 31, 1999 WEST MILFORD, NJ N1223F Minor substantial
The flight instructors failure to maintain climb airspeed during the go-around, which degraded climb performance, resulting in an in-flight collision …

The flight instructors failure to maintain climb airspeed during the go-around, which degraded climb performance, resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors in the accident were, delay in executing a go-around, retracting the flaps to 10 degrees prematurely, and high density altitude.

May 28, 1999 SANFORD, FL N9561B Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
May 27, 1999 COVINGTON, WA N5120D Minor substantial
The student pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, and his subsequent improper execution of the go-around procedure, resulting in collisi…

The student pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, and his subsequent improper execution of the go-around procedure, resulting in collision with trees off the departure end of the runway. Factors included the student pilot's lack of total experience, and trees off the departure end.

May 25, 1999 GUNNISON, CO N172KB Incident substantial
The pilot's inadvertent stall/mush immediately after takeoff. Factors were the high density altitude weather condition, and the pilot's total lack of…

The pilot's inadvertent stall/mush immediately after takeoff. Factors were the high density altitude weather condition, and the pilot's total lack of experience in type of operation.

May 23, 1999 MORRISTOWN, NJ N9475B Incident substantial The right main landing gear collapsed for undetermined reasons.
May 22, 1999 CHURCHVILLE, MD N5679E Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Factors were the pilot's lack of recent experience, and the crosswind.
May 20, 1999 MILLINGTON, TN N5363T Minor substantial
Loss of engine power due to undetermined reasons. Factors were weather conditions favorable to carburetor ice and the terrain condition at the forced …

Loss of engine power due to undetermined reasons. Factors were weather conditions favorable to carburetor ice and the terrain condition at the forced landing site.

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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