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 08, 1999 DULCE, NM N96212 Minor substantial
The pilot-in-command becoming disoriented during cruise flight, and his intentional flight into instrument meteorological conditions without proper ce…

The pilot-in-command becoming disoriented during cruise flight, and his intentional flight into instrument meteorological conditions without proper certification. Factors were the existing weather conditions that included snow, fog, obscuration and icing, the dark night light conditions, the rough terrain condition on which to make a forced landing, and the closed runway.

Apr 07, 1999 TURRELL, AR N5171K Incident substantial
The total loss of engine power as the result of improper maintenance which led to the number one cylinder intake valve rocker assembly stud bolt backi…

The total loss of engine power as the result of improper maintenance which led to the number one cylinder intake valve rocker assembly stud bolt backing out rendering the valve inoperative. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Apr 06, 1999 CLEBURNE, TX N734SV Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/ clearance from the wires.
Apr 05, 1999 MIDLOTHIAN, TX N8963V Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the powerlines. Factors were the low ceilings and the dusk light illumination.
Apr 03, 1999 RAMAPO, NY N2743V Minor substantial
Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inaccurate fuel consumption calculations. A factor in the accident was the flight instructor's inadequate supervis…

Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inaccurate fuel consumption calculations. A factor in the accident was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the solo cross-country flight.

Apr 02, 1999 LAWRENCE, MA N66162 Incident substantial The student pilot's improper flare, and his improper recover from a bounced landing.
Mar 31, 1999 WINSLOW, AZ N7882X Incident substantial The pilot's decision to continue flight into known adverse wind conditions which exceeded the ground handling capability of the aircraft.
Mar 30, 1999 MT. AIRY, NC N7821X Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed during landing and his failure to attain a proper touchdown point on the runway.
Mar 29, 1999 MOORPARK, CA N9451D Incident substantial The failure and separation of the number two cylinder for undetermined reasons. A factor was the soft terrain at the forced landing site.
Mar 27, 1999 SCOTTSDALE, AZ N73859 Incident substantial Failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft while retracting the flaps during a touch-and-go.
Mar 26, 1999 FLORALA, AL N8968B Minor substantial THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL SYSTEM CONTAMINATION WITH WATER.
Mar 24, 1999 NEW HUDSON, MI N75BG Incident substantial The pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance and his failure to execute a go-around. A related factor was the crosswind.
Mar 19, 1999 AGATE, CO N1321F Minor substantial
The development of carburetor ice resulting in a partial loss of engine power. Factors were the weather conditions favorable for carburetor icing, th…

The development of carburetor ice resulting in a partial loss of engine power. Factors were the weather conditions favorable for carburetor icing, the dark night conditions, and the lack of suitable terrain for landing.

Mar 19, 1999 RENO, NV N5242R Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and his failure to maintain runway alignment during the crosswind landing.
Mar 14, 1999 GILL, CO N6085A Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot's intentional maneuvering at an unwarranted low altitude resulting in a collision with the ground. Factors were the pilot's ostentatious be…

The pilot's intentional maneuvering at an unwarranted low altitude resulting in a collision with the ground. Factors were the pilot's ostentatious behavioral display and reduced lighting (dusk) conditions.

Mar 10, 1999 BATTLE CREEK, MI N989AV Incident substantial
the loss of directional control by the pilot. Factors to the accident were the lack of total experience of the pilot, the snow covered runway conditi…

the loss of directional control by the pilot. Factors to the accident were the lack of total experience of the pilot, the snow covered runway condition, the snowbank, and the flight instructor not verifying the runway snow removal with the Duty Instructor prior to releasing the student pilot for solo operations.

Mar 10, 1999 BATTLE CREEK, MI N983AV Incident substantial The pilot's improper flare and failure to maintain directional control. Related factors were the snowbank and lack of total experience.
Mar 07, 1999 PLAINFIELD, IL N65192 Incident substantial the pilot's inadequate directional control during landing roll. A factor was the snow bank.
Mar 06, 1999 ORANGE, TX N5803E Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing touchdown. A factor was the muddy drainage ditch.
Mar 04, 1999 HOMER, LA N2645U Incident substantial
The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, as a result of fuel moving away from the fuel supply outlets. Factors were the low fuel level and the…

The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, as a result of fuel moving away from the fuel supply outlets. Factors were the low fuel level and the turbulence.

Feb 26, 1999 DEATH VALLEY, CA N99269 Incident substantial
The pilot's use of an excessive approach reference speed and his misjudged distance/speed relationship to the runway, which resulted in a landing over…

The pilot's use of an excessive approach reference speed and his misjudged distance/speed relationship to the runway, which resulted in a landing overrun. The pilot's failure to execute a timely go-around was also causal.

Feb 26, 1999 BERLIN, NJ N737MJ Incident substantial
The pilot in command's failure to obtain the proper touch down point on the runway, and failure to perform a go-around. A factor relating to the acci…

The pilot in command's failure to obtain the proper touch down point on the runway, and failure to perform a go-around. A factor relating to the accident was a sudden wind shift.

Feb 21, 1999 GRENOLA, KS N1831Y Fatal (2) destroyed loss of control in flight due to incapacitation.
Feb 21, 1999 PELION, SC N65770 Incident substantial
The pilot's loss of directional control during landing roll as a result of improper recovery from a bounced landing and the subsequent excursion from …

The pilot's loss of directional control during landing roll as a result of improper recovery from a bounced landing and the subsequent excursion from the runway, collision with the adjacent terrain, and collapse of the nose landing gear.

Feb 20, 1999 EL MONTE, CA N5174D Minor destroyed
An in-flight fuel fire in the left forward doorpost due to an electrical arc from an adjacent map light switch puncturing a main fuel feed line. The …

An in-flight fuel fire in the left forward doorpost due to an electrical arc from an adjacent map light switch puncturing a main fuel feed line. The manufacturer's inadequate design in routing the fuel line in close proximity to electrical arc sources in the doorpost is causal. A factor in the accident is the probable failure of the doorpost internal component configuration to conform to original design specifications due to aircraft aging issues.

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.
← Cessna 172 For Sale All Cessna Models
Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data
View 492 Cessna 172 for sale ↓