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 18, 1999 IMPERIAL, CA N9897F Incident substantial The pilot's misjudged landing flare, which led to an inadvertent porpoise condition.
May 18, 1999 WICHITA, KS N172YA Incident substantial the student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.
May 16, 1999 DOUBLE SPRINGS, AL N20417 Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE.
May 16, 1999 OMAK, WA N73040 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to properly secure the aircraft before hand-propping.
May 13, 1999 GREELEY, CO N96299 Incident substantial
Failure of both the pilot receiving instruction and the flight instructor to maintain a visual lookout. A factor was the failure of the other pilot t…

Failure of both the pilot receiving instruction and the flight instructor to maintain a visual lookout. A factor was the failure of the other pilot to maintain a visual lookout.

May 08, 1999 SHIRLEY, NY N7068G Fatal (1) destroyed The pilot's loss of control of the airplane due to intoxication. A factor was the pilot's self-induced pressure to conduct the flight.
May 08, 1999 LANCASTER, TX N101PD Minor substantial The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent total loss of engine power.
May 08, 1999 LAS VEGAS, NV CGIUX Serious (2) destroyed
The pilot's premature rotation during the aborted landing and his failure to attain and maintain sufficient airspeed, which resulted in a stall mush. …

The pilot's premature rotation during the aborted landing and his failure to attain and maintain sufficient airspeed, which resulted in a stall mush. Factors in the accident were the pilot's decision to attempt a landing in adverse wind conditions beyond the crosswind capability of the airplane and an inoperative stall warning horn system.

May 05, 1999 FONTANA, NC N30DS Fatal (1) destroyed
the pilot continued visual flight into know weather conditions which resulted in reduced visibility, and the subsequent in-flight collision with risin…

the pilot continued visual flight into know weather conditions which resulted in reduced visibility, and the subsequent in-flight collision with rising terrain. Factors in this accidents were clouds and low ceiling in the accident area.

May 04, 1999 EAGLEVILLE, TN N739EW Incident substantial
The dual's student failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from the wire during takeoff/initial climb. Also causal was the certified flight i…

The dual's student failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from the wire during takeoff/initial climb. Also causal was the certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision.

May 02, 1999 COLUMBUS, OH N5815E Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance and his visual perception of the perimeter road as Taxiway Charlie. A factor in the accident was th…

The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance and his visual perception of the perimeter road as Taxiway Charlie. A factor in the accident was the absence of a sign identifying the perimeter road.

May 01, 1999 SYLVAN SPRINGS, AL N5105G Incident substantial The total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Apr 29, 1999 BLAIR, NE N5336R Incident substantial The pilot's misjudged landing flare.
Apr 29, 1999 WINTER HAVEN, FL N739FX Serious (2) substantial The pilot of the other aircraft's failure to maintain visual lookout. A factor was the other pilot's disregard for VFR Traffic pattern procedures.
Apr 28, 1999 LAS CRUCES, NM N46204 Incident substantial The pilot of N46204's failure to maintain visual lookout and to identify the other aircraft visually during landing.
Apr 26, 1999 MAYVIEW, MO N220NY Incident substantial
the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for the attempted precautionary landing. Factors to the accident were the overcast weather condition, ina…

the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for the attempted precautionary landing. Factors to the accident were the overcast weather condition, inadequate preflight planning by the pilot, the inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and the presence of the fence posts and pole in the selected landing area.

Apr 25, 1999 LAKE GENEVA, WI N64373 Minor substantial
the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing. Factors contributing to this accident were the variable winds and the…

the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing. Factors contributing to this accident were the variable winds and the ditch.

Apr 24, 1999 SAVANNAH, GA N6433B Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot's selection of the wrong runway for landing and his delayed go-around, which resulted in the collision with trees. A factor was the tailwin…

The pilot's selection of the wrong runway for landing and his delayed go-around, which resulted in the collision with trees. A factor was the tailwind on landing.

Apr 24, 1999 GEORGETOWN/GUY, GY 8RGHA Incident destroyed Investigation pending
Apr 17, 1999 LUMBERTON, NJ N12469 Incident substantial The pilot's misjudgment of altitude and distance which resulted in a runway overrun.
Apr 14, 1999 LAKELAND, FL N833G Minor destroyed
Failure of the pilot of the other aircraft to maintain a visual lookout and visual separation while on approach for landing. This resulted in a midair…

Failure of the pilot of the other aircraft to maintain a visual lookout and visual separation while on approach for landing. This resulted in a midair collision with another airplane and subsequent in-flight collision with the runway.

Apr 13, 1999 PUYALLUP, WA N75778 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall.
Apr 13, 1999 SHERIDAN, AR N6404E Incident substantial The pilot's excessive landing approach speed and his failure to attain the proper touchdown point which resulted in a runway overrun.
Apr 10, 1999 NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV N3289L Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff roll resulting in a collision with taxiway sign. A factor was the sign.
Apr 10, 1999 GLENNS FERRY, ID N2650U Incident substantial
The failure of both pilots to see-and-avoid wires crossing the river. Factors included: transmission wires; inattention of both pilots to the aircra…

The failure of both pilots to see-and-avoid wires crossing the river. Factors included: transmission wires; inattention of both pilots to the aircraft's flight path; and the pilots' low-altitude flight.

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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