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 08, 1994 OCHOPEE, FL N4851D Fatal (3) destroyed THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHILE MANEUVERING RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT UNTIL IMPACT IN A SWAMP.
Sep 28, 1994 POTEAU, OK N7617X Incident substantial
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO THE PILOT'S DELAYED USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT AND THE RESULTANT CARBURETOR ICING. FACTORS WERE THE WEATHER CONDITION AND …

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO THE PILOT'S DELAYED USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT AND THE RESULTANT CARBURETOR ICING. FACTORS WERE THE WEATHER CONDITION AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

Sep 25, 1994 ALABASTER, AL N2830U Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY SUMP THE FUEL SYSTEM DURING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION THAT RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER.
Sep 20, 1994 STERLING, MA N55164 Incident destroyed The pilot misjudged landing distance, which resulted in an overrun of the runway. A factor is the pilot's failure to do a go-around.
Sep 18, 1994 ORCAS, WA N738ET Incident substantial THE PILOT'S IMPROPER LANDING FLARE.
Sep 18, 1994 NEW LONDON, PA N13510 Minor substantial The pilot failed to maintain adequate airpseed which resulted in an inadvertent stall and inflight collision with terrain.
Sep 17, 1994 RUSSELLVILLE, AR N79897 Minor substantial THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE CROSSWIND DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL. A FACTOR WAS THE CROSSWIND.
Sep 17, 1994 MORA, MN N8064B Incident substantial
was an improper touchdown by the pilot-in-command. Factor's associated with this accident were the pilot's diverted attention due to his perception o…

was an improper touchdown by the pilot-in-command. Factor's associated with this accident were the pilot's diverted attention due to his perception of a crosswind condition and the pilot not performing a recovery from a bounced landing.

Sep 14, 1994 OIL TROUGH, AR N1367U Incident substantial THE PILOT'S LOSS OF AIRCRAFT DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. A FACTOR WAS THE WET GRASS LANDING SURFACE.
Sep 13, 1994 WEST CHICAGO, IL N616SF Incident substantial the pilot-in-command (CFI)'s inadequate supervision. Factors were the abrupt flare by the dual student.
Sep 11, 1994 BOONE, IA N2105E Incident substantial
the failure of both pilots to adequately monitor radio communications during an exceptionally busy period. Factors related to the accident were the h…

the failure of both pilots to adequately monitor radio communications during an exceptionally busy period. Factors related to the accident were the high vegetation and the failure of airport personnel to recognize and correct a hazardous situation.

Sep 11, 1994 CORONA, CA N4328L Minor substantial
THE PILOT'S POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION AND FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS. FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE ROUGH TERRAIN WERE FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT…

THE PILOT'S POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION AND FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS. FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE ROUGH TERRAIN WERE FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT.

Sep 10, 1994 WARRENTON, MO N98525 Incident substantial
the pilot's failure to use the proper procedure for an aborted takeoff. Factors associated with the accident were the trees, the pilot's poor preflig…

the pilot's failure to use the proper procedure for an aborted takeoff. Factors associated with the accident were the trees, the pilot's poor preflight/preparation, and the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing.

Sep 09, 1994 BULLFROG, UT N9918Q Incident substantial THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND EXCEEDED THE AIRPLANE'S MAXIMUM CROSSWIND COMPONENT CAPABILITY. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GUSTY CROSSWIND.
Sep 08, 1994 BROOKFIELD, WI N7384G Minor substantial the commercial pilot's poor planning/decision making. A related factor is the wet, grass runway selected for landing.
Sep 07, 1994 COOLIN, ID N61838 Minor substantial
THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE MANUFACTURER TO PROPERLY REMANUFACTURE AND ADEQUATELY INSPECT THE NO. 1 ROCKER ARM PRIOR TO ITS INSTALLATION ON THE ENGINE. …

THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE MANUFACTURER TO PROPERLY REMANUFACTURE AND ADEQUATELY INSPECT THE NO. 1 ROCKER ARM PRIOR TO ITS INSTALLATION ON THE ENGINE. THIS RESULTED IN FATIGUE CRACKING OF THE ROCKER ARM AND A SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

Sep 05, 1994 PARADISE, WA N4628L Serious (1) destroyed
PROPER ALTITUDE WAS NOT MAINTAINED AND IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY TERRAIN CONDITIONS AND LAC…

PROPER ALTITUDE WAS NOT MAINTAINED AND IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY TERRAIN CONDITIONS AND LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

Sep 05, 1994 TRUCKEE, CA N3745B Fatal (4) destroyed
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED TO CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL AND SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH THE GROUND. …

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED TO CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL AND SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH THE GROUND. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, IMPROPER TRIM SETTING FOR TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE'S EXCESSIVE GROSS WEIGHT, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE MAKE/MODEL OF AIRPLANE.

Sep 04, 1994 RESCUE, CA N9699Q Minor substantial THE PILOT'S DELAYED GO-AROUND. HIS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND WAS A FACTOR.
Sep 04, 1994 MILWAUKEE, WI N9955V Incident substantial the pilot's improper flare during touchdown. A factor in the accident was the rupture of the nose landing gear tire.
Sep 03, 1994 JACKPOT, NV N21704 Fatal (1) destroyed
the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to spatial disorientation during a moonless night departure over an area without ground reference…

the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to spatial disorientation during a moonless night departure over an area without ground reference lights. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of instrument training and experience.

Sep 03, 1994 ORLANDO, FL N734QA Incident substantial The pilot-in-command's improper landing flare/touchdown, resulting in a hard landing, and subsequent separation of the nose gear.
Aug 30, 1994 LOUISVILLE, GA N96960 Incident substantial Investigation pending
Aug 28, 1994 PLATO CENTER, IL N97618 Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO TAKE OFF ON A SHORT RUNWAY WITH A GROSS WEIGHT WHICH EXCEEDED THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE WEIGHT AND AN IMPROPER FLAP SETTING. A FACT…

THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO TAKE OFF ON A SHORT RUNWAY WITH A GROSS WEIGHT WHICH EXCEEDED THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE WEIGHT AND AN IMPROPER FLAP SETTING. A FACTOR WAS THE LOCATION OF OBSTRUCTIONS (TREES) AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY.

Aug 27, 1994 WHITEHALL, MI N1106F Incident substantial THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE SOFT CROP FIELD.
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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