Cessna 172 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 6810 events recorded from 1974 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 18, 1997 | GONZALES, LA | N8426U | Serious (2) | substantial |
The inadvertent stall resulting from the flight instructor's failure to maintain airspeed during his delayed recovery from the bounced landing. Factor…The inadvertent stall resulting from the flight instructor's failure to maintain airspeed during his delayed recovery from the bounced landing. Factors were the student's failure to maintain the proper airspeed and the instructor's inadequate supervision during the landing. |
| Dec 16, 1997 | MCKINNEY, TX | N1371E | Serious (3) | substantial |
The pilot's inadequate in-flight/planning decision which resulted in continued flight until fuel exhaustion. Related factors were incorrect fuel gaug…The pilot's inadequate in-flight/planning decision which resulted in continued flight until fuel exhaustion. Related factors were incorrect fuel gauge readings and trees. |
| Dec 09, 1997 | NEW SALEM, MA | N12219 | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance above the water due to his impairment by drugs. A factor in this accident was the glassy …The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance above the water due to his impairment by drugs. A factor in this accident was the glassy water condition. |
| Dec 08, 1997 | MITCHELLVILLE, MD | N99510 | Incident | substantial | The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. |
| Dec 07, 1997 | LYTLE CREEK, CA | N3548E | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
the non-instrument rated pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and subsequent loss of aircraft control, due …the non-instrument rated pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and subsequent loss of aircraft control, due to spatial disorientation. Factors relating to the accident were: the adverse weather conditions (low ceiling and fog), and the pilot's lack of instrument experience. |
| Dec 06, 1997 | HENDERSON, NC | N172MT | Incident | substantial | The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. |
| Nov 28, 1997 | HAZEL GREEN, AL | N3908L | Serious (1) | substantial |
the pilot's miscalculating the aircraft's fuel consumption for the flight, resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor was t…the pilot's miscalculating the aircraft's fuel consumption for the flight, resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. |
| Nov 28, 1997 | SAN JOSE, CA | N739HE | Incident | substantial |
the student pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate airspeed and proper rate of descent, and his misjudged landing flare, which led to an uncontrol…the student pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate airspeed and proper rate of descent, and his misjudged landing flare, which led to an uncontrolled porpoise and eventual collapse of the landing gear. |
| Nov 25, 1997 | TOPEKA, KS | N5332T | Fatal (1) | substantial | the pilot's improper use of carburetor heat. Contributing factors were carburetor icing conditions, dark night conditions, and the transmission wire. |
| Nov 24, 1997 | WATKINS, CO | N738LC | Incident | substantial | loss of engine power for undertermined reason(s). |
| Nov 24, 1997 | MESQUITE, TX | N80831 | Incident | substantial |
the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, while landing. The gusty crosswi…the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, while landing. The gusty crosswind was a related factor. |
| Nov 24, 1997 | LA JOLLA, CA | N6463D | Fatal (1) | destroyed | the pilot's act of suicide by intentionally diving his aircraft into the ocean. |
| Nov 20, 1997 | SALEM, IN | N92042 | Serious (1) | substantial |
the pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude, while on final approach to land at night. Factors relating to the accident included: an undetermine…the pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude, while on final approach to land at night. Factors relating to the accident included: an undetermined electrical malfunction, inoperative flaps, darkness, the pilot not using the landing light, and the proximity of trees to the runway. |
| Nov 17, 1997 | VAN, TX | N202EX | Minor | substantial |
fuel starvation, resulting from restricted carburetor float travel, due to improper maintenance installation. The encounter with a power line was rel…fuel starvation, resulting from restricted carburetor float travel, due to improper maintenance installation. The encounter with a power line was related factor. |
| Nov 12, 1997 | SAN DIEGO, CA | N9451D | Incident | substantial | Overload of the main gear actuator piston and the subsequent collapse of the landing gear. |
| Nov 09, 1997 | CUMMINGS, GA | N46029 | Serious (1) | substantial | the pilot landed the airplane with a tailwind condition, too long and too fast for the runway conditions. |
| Nov 08, 1997 | NAPLES, FL | N97074 | Incident | substantial | Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. |
| Nov 05, 1997 | SAN DIEGO, CA | N98483 | Incident | substantial | The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a hangar while taxiing. |
| Nov 03, 1997 | CRYSTAL RIVER, FL | N4105F | Incident | substantial |
The certified flight instructors improper supervision of the rated pilot during a crosswind landing resulting in an in-flight collision with the left …The certified flight instructors improper supervision of the rated pilot during a crosswind landing resulting in an in-flight collision with the left wing of the airplane and the runway, subsequent loss of directional control on landing rollout, and collision with an embankment. |
| Nov 02, 1997 | ELK CITY, OK | N5745R | Incident | substantial | The high winds and the pilot's poor judgment in attempting to taxi in the existing wind conditions. |
| Nov 02, 1997 | PAYSON, AZ | N6585D | Incident | substantial | The pilot's selection of a downwind direction to land and his failure to compensate for the quartering tailwind condition. |
| Nov 01, 1997 | TOOELE, UT | N96575 | Incident | substantial |
failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane, while landing. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's improper flare…failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane, while landing. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's improper flare for landing, his delay in attempting to go around (abort the landing), and the encounter with a runway marker and a fence. |
| Oct 30, 1997 | SALISBURY, MD | N1487V | Incident | substantial | The student pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing. |
| Oct 29, 1997 | HURLEY, NM | N8714U | Incident | substantial |
the student pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the wind conditions. Factors included the gusty crosswind conditions and inadequate supervis…the student pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the wind conditions. Factors included the gusty crosswind conditions and inadequate supervision of the student pilot's solo flight by his flight instructor. |
| Oct 26, 1997 | ELKTON, VA | N3097U | Fatal (1) | destroyed | The pilot's intention VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing factors were clouds and mountainous/hilly terrain.. |