Cessna 172 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 6810 events recorded from 1974 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 24, 1997 | RABUN GAP, GA | N1499U | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
The pilot's continued flight under visual flight rules into known instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain a safe altitude for…The pilot's continued flight under visual flight rules into known instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain a safe altitude for terrain clearance resulting in the aircraft colliding with trees and the ground on the side of a mountain. |
| Oct 17, 1997 | PANACEA, FL | N4690L | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's improper use of carburetor heat resulting in loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and an in flight collision with trees during a f…The pilot's improper use of carburetor heat resulting in loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and an in flight collision with trees during a forced landing. |
| Oct 14, 1997 | PITTSFIELD, MA | N62264 | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's poor in-flight decision to continue VFR flight in IFR conditions. Factor's in this accident were the pilot's inadequate pre-flight planni…The pilot's poor in-flight decision to continue VFR flight in IFR conditions. Factor's in this accident were the pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning, and fog. |
| Oct 12, 1997 | WIGGINS, MS | N945SM | Minor | substantial | Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons resulting in a forced landing on unsuitable terrain and the aircraft nosing over during landing roll. |
| Oct 12, 1997 | TERRE HAUTE, IN | N734WT | Fatal (2) | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a go-around attempt which resulted in an inadvertent stall. |
| Oct 11, 1997 | OCEANA, VA | N64507 | Incident | substantial | Improper flare by the pilot, which resulted in a hard landing. A related factor was the diverted attention. |
| Oct 05, 1997 | SANDWICH, IL | N73899 | Incident | substantial | the pilot's inability to maintain flying airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall/mush. A factor contributing to this accident was the wind gust. |
| Oct 03, 1997 | GRAND JUNCTION, CO | N7692T | Incident | substantial | Encounter with high gusting winds while standing with the engine running |
| Sep 28, 1997 | KUTZTOWN, PA | N5338E | Incident | substantial |
the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve. Factors relating to the …the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve. Factors relating to the accident were: the student's pilot's selection of the wrong runway, the resultant tailwind, and the encounter with a cornfield beside the runway. |
| Sep 28, 1997 | YANKTON, SD | N52419 | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft. A factor contributing to the accident was the wind gusts. |
| Sep 26, 1997 | SANDY VALLEY, NV | N84621 | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
the pilot's intentional VFR flight into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from mountainous/hill…the pilot's intentional VFR flight into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from mountainous/hilly terrain. Related factors were: the high/mountainous/hilly terrain, and the adverse weather condition (low ceiling). |
| Sep 26, 1997 | FUQUAY-VARINA, NC | N75522 | Incident | substantial | The pilot's misjudged flare, improper level-off, and improper recovery from a bounced landing. |
| Sep 25, 1997 | GREENVILLE, SC | N738SZ | Incident | substantial |
the pilot's improper use of the elevator control and delayed liftoff during takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent porpoise, collision with the run…the pilot's improper use of the elevator control and delayed liftoff during takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent porpoise, collision with the runway, and collapse of the nose gear as he aborted the takeoff. |
| Sep 24, 1997 | BREMERTON, WA | N6756H | Fatal (3) | substantial |
The pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude from the runway, and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. Factors contribu…The pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude from the runway, and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were dark night conditions, the pilot's improper decision to conduct the flight at night, his lack of recent experience in the type of operation (night flying), his lack of familiarity with the geographical area, the inoperative airport visual approach slope indicator, and the improper dispatch of the airplane by the operator. |
| Sep 24, 1997 | NORMALVILLE, PA | N35405 | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
the pilot's inadequate clearance above an unlighted ridgeline in clouds and fog at night, and his decision to not file an IFR flight plan and his VFR …the pilot's inadequate clearance above an unlighted ridgeline in clouds and fog at night, and his decision to not file an IFR flight plan and his VFR flight into IMC conditions. |
| Sep 23, 1997 | MONROE, WA | N64ML | Incident | substantial |
The failure of the flight instructor to adequately perform remedial action, and her failure to abort the takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident…The failure of the flight instructor to adequately perform remedial action, and her failure to abort the takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident include the premature rotation of the airplane by the dual student, the failure of the dual student to maintain adequate airspeed and directional control during the takeoff, and a congested runway area. |
| Sep 22, 1997 | AIRVILLE, PA | N55221 | Fatal (1) | destroyed | The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall/mush and subsequent collision with terrain. |
| Sep 22, 1997 | CHICAGO, IL | N4375L | Minor | substantial | the pilot's selection of the wrong taxi route (service road) and not maintaining clearance between his airplane's wing and a bus. |
| Sep 14, 1997 | LONG BEACH, CA | N61913 | Incident | substantial | the student pilot's misjudged landing flare which led to a balloon and subsequent hard landing. |
| Aug 31, 1997 | LAWRENCEVILLE, GA | N9625V | Incident | substantial | The student pilot's improper go-around technique that resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor was a premature flare for landing. |
| Aug 27, 1997 | PORTAGE, WI | N9026H | Minor | substantial |
the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation, and subsequent fuel exhaustion. Factors relating to this accident were: the guard rail, the highway, an…the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation, and subsequent fuel exhaustion. Factors relating to this accident were: the guard rail, the highway, and the ditch. |
| Aug 25, 1997 | KENWOOD, CA | N733QD | Minor | substantial | the pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a forced landing, due to an inadequate supply of fuel. |
| Aug 21, 1997 | LANCASTER, CA | N9710B | Incident | substantial | Improper flare. |
| Aug 19, 1997 | PRESCOTT, AZ | N3266E | Incident | substantial | The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing. |
| Aug 09, 1997 | TOWNSEND, MT | N7925G | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed. |