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
Jun 10, 1995 PEACHTREE CITY, GA N73785 Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE LOOKOUT WHILE MANEUVERING ON THE RAMP WHICH RESULTED IN HIS MISJUDGING THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN HIS AIRPLANE …

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE LOOKOUT WHILE MANEUVERING ON THE RAMP WHICH RESULTED IN HIS MISJUDGING THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN HIS AIRPLANE AND PARKED AIRCRAFT.

Jun 10, 1995 SKWENTNA, AK N13205 Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT ARE THE WET AND UNEVEN AIRSTRIP SURFACE.
Jun 10, 1995 BIG BEAR, CA N739NN Incident substantial
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff attempt, which was necessitated by his failure to properly lean the fuel…

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff attempt, which was necessitated by his failure to properly lean the fuel mixture. The pilot's limited experience in small piston engine airplanes was a factor in the accident.

Jun 07, 1995 ST. PETERSBUG, FL N129EP Minor substantial
The pilot-in-command's/CFI improper supervision of the dual student on landing rollout. This resulted in an on ground loss of control (directional con…

The pilot-in-command's/CFI improper supervision of the dual student on landing rollout. This resulted in an on ground loss of control (directional control not maintained), and subsequent nose over.

Jun 01, 1995 HEAD WATERS, VA N3065E Incident substantial
the pilot's poor planning/decision making in the attempted departure. Contributing factors are the wet, recently mowed grass airstrip, and the embank…

the pilot's poor planning/decision making in the attempted departure. Contributing factors are the wet, recently mowed grass airstrip, and the embankment/downhill grade encountered during the aborted takeoff.

May 31, 1995 MADISON, MS N734YD Incident substantial THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE AND/OR IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING.
May 28, 1995 LOVELOCK, NV N4773E Fatal (4) destroyed the pilot's intentional flight at low altitude and subsequent collision with transmission wires during dusk light conditions.
May 27, 1995 WESTON, WV N5085G Fatal (2) destroyed the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall, and a subsequent uncontrolled descent and collision with the ground.
May 27, 1995 SINCLAIR ISLAND, WA N7996X Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE A TAILWIND, WET GRASS, AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE REMEDIA…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE A TAILWIND, WET GRASS, AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION.

May 26, 1995 BOONVILLE, CA N5255F Incident substantial a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
May 22, 1995 SAN IGNACIO, NM N2840L Serious (2) substantial THE PILOT FLYING AT AN INADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO CLEAR SURROUNDING TERRAIN. FACTORS WERE: HIGH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.
May 18, 1995 SANFORD, FL N3722L Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a forced landing resulting in an inadvertent stall and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain. Co…

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a forced landing resulting in an inadvertent stall and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was a total loss of engine power while descending due to fuel exhaustion, and the pilot's inaccurate fuel calculations for the flight.

May 12, 1995 TAPPAHANOCK, VA N5238F Fatal (1) destroyed
The student pilot's misjudgment of distance/speed during the approach to land, and her failure to go around while there was still sufficient runway re…

The student pilot's misjudgment of distance/speed during the approach to land, and her failure to go around while there was still sufficient runway remaining. Factors related to the accident were: inadequate supervision by the flight instructor, the student's lack of recent flying experience, and the student pilot becaming lost or disoriented during the solo cross-country flight.

May 09, 1995 STOCKTON, CA N39ES Incident substantial
the failure of the pilot to properly judge the landing flare, and his improper bounced landing recovery technique, which resulted in a landing gear co…

the failure of the pilot to properly judge the landing flare, and his improper bounced landing recovery technique, which resulted in a landing gear collapse during a hard landing.

May 07, 1995 COLUSA, CA N7358T Minor destroyed
the pilot's selection of an inadequate en route cruise altitude for the aerial observation flight, and his failure to identify and stop an inadvertent…

the pilot's selection of an inadequate en route cruise altitude for the aerial observation flight, and his failure to identify and stop an inadvertent descent while flying over flooded terrain at a very low altitude. Lack of pilot experience in low level operations and glassy water were factors in this accident.

May 06, 1995 BROOKLYN, MI N9347H Incident substantial FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE FOR LANDING, AND SOFT TERRAIN.
May 01, 1995 TWISP, WA N2548Y Minor substantial
THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A NOSE LANDING GEAR ASSEMBLY BOLT (NO COTTER KEY INSTALLED) BY UNKNOWN MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL. THIS LED TO A FAILURE OF T…

THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A NOSE LANDING GEAR ASSEMBLY BOLT (NO COTTER KEY INSTALLED) BY UNKNOWN MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL. THIS LED TO A FAILURE OF THE NOSE LANDING GEAR STEERING AND SUBSEQUENT NOSEOVER DURING LANDING ROLLOUT.

Apr 29, 1995 CLEARWATER, FL N96EP Incident substantial THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER REMEDIAL ACTION AFTER THE AIRCRAFT PORPOISED DURING THE LANDING FLARE AND TOUCHDOWN.
Apr 26, 1995 HUTCHINSON, MN N4183G Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. Factors associated with the accident were the crosswind and soft terrain.
Apr 25, 1995 AUGUSTA, ME N3799L Incident substantial THE STUDENT PILOT'S DELAY IN ABORTING THE LANDING ATTEMPT. THE CROSSWIND, AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE CROSSWIND WERE FACTORS.
Apr 24, 1995 ST. JOHNS, CA N31083 Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Apr 24, 1995 TSAILE, AZ N2587Y Fatal (4) destroyed THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN TERRAIN CLEARANCE. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF MOUNTAIN FLYING EXPERIENCE AND THE RISING TERRAIN.
Apr 22, 1995 ATLANTA, GA N3220E Fatal (1) substantial
THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT OF JUDGMENT AND PERFORMANCE DUE TO A DRUG, VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, AND FAILURE TO REMAIN CLEAR OF…

THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT OF JUDGMENT AND PERFORMANCE DUE TO A DRUG, VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, AND FAILURE TO REMAIN CLEAR OF THE OBSTACLE (TOWERING SMOKE STACK). FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Apr 20, 1995 DETROIT, MI N5208D Incident substantial
the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff ground run. A factor associated with the accident was the soft terrain…

the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff ground run. A factor associated with the accident was the soft terrain.

Apr 17, 1995 WHEATLAND, WY N7011Q Minor substantial THE PILOT'S CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE AIRFRAME ICING ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FLIGHT.
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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