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 04, 1997 AUSTIN, TX N53359 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor was the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions.
Apr 27, 1997 PULLMAN, WA N73934 Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fuel truck parked near his taxi route. Factors include a dark night and a vehicle parked near the pi…

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fuel truck parked near his taxi route. Factors include a dark night and a vehicle parked near the pilot's route of taxi.

Apr 25, 1997 SAN JOSE, CA N63754 Serious (1) destroyed
The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed to preclude stalling following an improper recovery from a bounced landing. Contributing fa…

The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed to preclude stalling following an improper recovery from a bounced landing. Contributing factors were the pilot's premature and excessive flap retraction and misjudged landing flare.

Apr 24, 1997 CHANDLER, AZ N733PM Incident substantial
the pilot's encounter with crosswind gusts beyond the performance capability of the aircraft. A lack of crosswind limit information published in the …

the pilot's encounter with crosswind gusts beyond the performance capability of the aircraft. A lack of crosswind limit information published in the Cessna 172N Pilot's Operating Handbook for landing and taxiing operations is a factor in the accident.

Apr 22, 1997 NINILCHIK, AK N5407R Incident substantial failure of the pilot to maintain altitude/clearance from a closed runway, while making a low pass, which resulted in an inadvertent touchdown.
Apr 21, 1997 MCKINNEY, TX N54153 Incident substantial the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control on the ground after recovery from a bounced landing.
Apr 16, 1997 LINCOLN PARK, NJ N1405E Incident substantial
the student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing which resulted in a hard landing, collapsed nose gear, loss of directional control, and s…

the student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing which resulted in a hard landing, collapsed nose gear, loss of directional control, and subsequent nose over.

Apr 10, 1997 LAWRENCEVILLE, GA N4874D Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing. The winds were a factor.
Apr 09, 1997 PRESCOTT, AZ N8123E Incident substantial the student pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition, and his failure to maintain proper runway alignment.
Apr 09, 1997 ANNAPOLIS, MD N739AH Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to raise the flaps during the go-around. Factors involved were the high wind conditions and the pilot's failure to remove the car…

The pilot's failure to raise the flaps during the go-around. Factors involved were the high wind conditions and the pilot's failure to remove the carburetor heat.

Apr 06, 1997 OLATHE, KS N46311 Minor substantial
the pilot's improper inflight planning/decision and exceeding the airplane recommended crosswind component. Factors associated with this accident wer…

the pilot's improper inflight planning/decision and exceeding the airplane recommended crosswind component. Factors associated with this accident were the weather conditions of a high wind, gusts, and a crosswind.

Apr 05, 1997 TAMPA, FL N1385U Incident substantial
the pilot's improper compensation for wind conditions and failure to properly flare the airplane for landing. Factors relating to the accident were: …

the pilot's improper compensation for wind conditions and failure to properly flare the airplane for landing. Factors relating to the accident were: the gusty/quartering wind conditions, and the pilot's improper use of flaps for landing.

Apr 04, 1997 AVALON, CA N733CN Serious (2) destroyed
The pilot's misjudging the airplane's altitude and distance to the runway and an excessive descent rate, which led to an undershoot, and the pilot's f…

The pilot's misjudging the airplane's altitude and distance to the runway and an excessive descent rate, which led to an undershoot, and the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during the approach. Contributing factors were the pilot's delay in initiating corrective action.

Apr 03, 1997 MANZANITA, OR CGICR Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the go-around…

The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the go-around attempt. Factors contributing to the accident are gusty crosswinds.

Mar 31, 1997 CINCINNATI, OH N73455 Incident substantial
the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a collision with…

the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a collision with tree(s) and a ditch.

Mar 31, 1997 ST MATTHEWS, SC N738NC Incident substantial the pilot's improper decision to take off downwind with gusty wind conditions.
Mar 30, 1997 AUBURN, WA N5115K Incident substantial
the pilots' inadequate evaluation of the strong winds, when they attempted to turn to taxi with a very strong tailwind. Factors relating to the accide…

the pilots' inadequate evaluation of the strong winds, when they attempted to turn to taxi with a very strong tailwind. Factors relating to the accident included the high and unfavorable winds.

Mar 28, 1997 GLENWOOD SPGS, CO N7273G Incident destroyed The pilot's failure to maintain airplane directional control, and his use of excessive rudder control.
Mar 27, 1997 POMPANO BEACH, FL N5123H Incident substantial the pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in overload failure of the nose gear.
Mar 26, 1997 BURLINGTON, WY N97527 Fatal (1) destroyed loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a related factor.
Mar 25, 1997 TELLURIDE, CO N686JF Minor substantial The pilot's misjudged landing flare and his improper bounced landing recovery technique. A factor was the snow bank.
Mar 22, 1997 MIDDLETOWN, OH N733LK Incident substantial
the pilot's improper decision to taxi on a motor vehicle access road at night, and his inadequate visual look out which resulted in the collision with…

the pilot's improper decision to taxi on a motor vehicle access road at night, and his inadequate visual look out which resulted in the collision with an aluminum lamp post. A factor in this accident was the night condition.

Mar 17, 1997 MANCHACA, TX N6320E Serious (1) destroyed
The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. A factor was the weather c…

The pilot's continued VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. A factor was the weather condition.

Mar 16, 1997 HARRISON, OH N737ZC Minor substantial
the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control, and his improper operation of the throttle for regain control, which resulted in the airp…

the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control, and his improper operation of the throttle for regain control, which resulted in the airplane veering off the runway and colliding with a tree.

Mar 11, 1997 MARQUETTE, MI N171AS Minor substantial multiple oil leaks in the engine lubrication system. Factors were the disconnected wet vacuum pump line and the oil exhaustion.
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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