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
Oct 04, 1995 CATON, NY N9461E Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot's improper IFR procedure by failing to maintain proper altitude, while on the initial approach for an ILS. A factor relating to the acciden…

The pilot's improper IFR procedure by failing to maintain proper altitude, while on the initial approach for an ILS. A factor relating to the accident was: failure of the tower controller to issue a safety advisory.

Oct 01, 1995 SAVANNAH, GA N9553H Minor substantial
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for a precautionary landing, and his failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle (road sign) during the…

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for a precautionary landing, and his failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle (road sign) during the landing.

Sep 29, 1995 PITTSBURGH, PA N9497B Incident substantial
the pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point and excessive airspeed which resulted in an overrun and a subsequent collision with a trailer…

the pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point and excessive airspeed which resulted in an overrun and a subsequent collision with a trailer off the departure end of the runway.

Sep 29, 1995 ST. JOHNS, AZ N8034L Fatal (2) destroyed the pilot's failure to assure that the seat adjustment pin was properly engaged prior to takeoff.
Sep 13, 1995 WITTER, AR N61899 Fatal (3) destroyed
failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from high/wooded terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, high terrai…

failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from high/wooded terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, high terrain, and foggy weather conditions. Also, the pilot's use of Methamphetamine (not approved by the FAA) was a possible factor.

Sep 09, 1995 KERRVILLE, TX N4918G Minor substantial the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation and his failure to use all the available runway. A factor was the dark night.
Sep 08, 1995 GLENNALLEN, AK N737SP Serious (1) substantial
Improper planning/decision by the pilot, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, due to an inadequate supply of fuel. A factor relating to the accident wa…

Improper planning/decision by the pilot, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, due to an inadequate supply of fuel. A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of suitable terrain for an emergency landing.

Sep 07, 1995 PRIM, AR N2519U Incident substantial
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO INITIATE A FLARE DUE TO THE FRACTURE OF THE YOKE ASSEMBLY, AN…

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO INITIATE A FLARE DUE TO THE FRACTURE OF THE YOKE ASSEMBLY, AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

Sep 03, 1995 ORR, MN N828MB Fatal (1) destroyed
the pilot misjudged the landing flare. Factors associated with the accident were the visual illusion caused by the glassy smooth water condition and …

the pilot misjudged the landing flare. Factors associated with the accident were the visual illusion caused by the glassy smooth water condition and the forward center of gravity.

Sep 03, 1995 MERIDEN, CT N4671V Serious (1) substantial
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll which resulted in the aircraft veering off the runway, and a subsequent co…

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll which resulted in the aircraft veering off the runway, and a subsequent collision with a fence.

Sep 02, 1995 QUAKERTOWN, PA N7154T Incident substantial
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control, and the pilot's improper use of the wing flaps, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, and conta…

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control, and the pilot's improper use of the wing flaps, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, and contact with trees. A factor was the crosswind.

Sep 01, 1995 PORTLAND, ME N6564H Fatal (3) destroyed
an engine malfunction for an undetermined reason, and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a forced landing which resulted in an accelerate…

an engine malfunction for an undetermined reason, and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a forced landing which resulted in an accelerated stall. A factor was the pilot's lack of recent experience.

Sep 01, 1995 BONHAM, TX N5798J Minor substantial THE PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. FACTORS WERE THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Sep 01, 1995 COLORADO SPGS, CO N4814F Serious (2) destroyed
BLOCKAGE OF THE CARBURETOR BY A PIECE OF FOREIGN MATERIAL, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, WH…

BLOCKAGE OF THE CARBURETOR BY A PIECE OF FOREIGN MATERIAL, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY LEAN THE FUEL MIXTURE WERE POSSIBLE FACTORS.

Aug 30, 1995 WEED, CA N7641T Incident substantial the flight instructor's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft.
Aug 26, 1995 ATLANTIC OCEAN, AO N50860 Incident destroyed
THE FAILURE OF THE OIL LUBRICATION SYSTEM FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING…

THE FAILURE OF THE OIL LUBRICATION SYSTEM FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.

Aug 26, 1995 KINGSWOOD TWSP, NJ N64380 Fatal (1) destroyed Failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees.
Aug 26, 1995 WILLIAMSON, NY N9293H Incident destroyed the loss of engine power and the eruption of a fire for undetermined reasons.
Aug 26, 1995 CLARKSTON, MI N738CL Minor substantial the pilot's failure to refuel.
Aug 26, 1995 INDEPENDENCE, MO N6977H Serious (1) substantial the pilot's failure to perform the pre-takeoff checklist and set the elevator trim tab to the takeoff position.
Aug 26, 1995 PUT-IN-BAY, OH N3680L Minor substantial
THE PILOT'S DELAY IN ABORTING THE LANDING AFTER SELECTING THE WRONG RUNWAY. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: GARBLED RADIO TRANSMISSIONS ON THE…

THE PILOT'S DELAY IN ABORTING THE LANDING AFTER SELECTING THE WRONG RUNWAY. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: GARBLED RADIO TRANSMISSIONS ON THE UNICOM FREQUENCY, AND THE RESULTANT TAILWIND FOR LANDING.

Aug 24, 1995 SOLDOTNA, AK N96911 Serious (1) substantial
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO ASSURE CLEARANCE FROM OBSTRUCTIONS. THE DOWNDRAF…

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO ASSURE CLEARANCE FROM OBSTRUCTIONS. THE DOWNDRAFT WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

Aug 20, 1995 ALPINE, TX N5638T Incident minor THE FAILURE OF THE PILOTS OF BOTH AIRPLANES TO SEE AND AVOID EACH OTHER. A FACTOR WAS THE CESSNA'S INOPERATIVE RADIO.
Aug 20, 1995 PORT WASHINGTON, WI N55404 Minor substantial the failure of the #2 cylinder due to fatigue cracking. A factor was the soft terrain.
Aug 20, 1995 HOPEDALE, MA N8885V Minor destroyed
the student pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with a fence and a …

the student pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with a fence and a building.

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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