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
Aug 26, 1994 PINE MOUNTAIN, GA N6650A Serious (1) substantial
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN BOTH AIRSPEED AND CLEARANCE FROM A FENCE. FACTORS WERE T…

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN BOTH AIRSPEED AND CLEARANCE FROM A FENCE. FACTORS WERE THE TAILWIND AND THE GUSTS WHICH EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

Aug 26, 1994 LARAMIE, WY N79444 Fatal (2) destroyed THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM TERRAIN. DOWNDRAFT WIND ON THE LEE SIDE OF THE RIDGELINE WAS A FACTOR.
Aug 25, 1994 LAKEPORT, CA N9447E Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing cross wind conditions, and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing…

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing cross wind conditions, and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing rollout.

Aug 24, 1994 ANOKA, MN N75534 Incident substantial
the pilots decision to attempt a landing ahead of the approaching thunderstorm, and his failure to maintain directional control. A factor was the gus…

the pilots decision to attempt a landing ahead of the approaching thunderstorm, and his failure to maintain directional control. A factor was the gusting crosswind ahead of the storm.

Aug 23, 1994 VESTAL, NY N61774 Incident substantial LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING AN ABORTED LANDING DUE TO THE THROTTLE CABLE SEPARATING FROM THE CARBURETOR.
Aug 22, 1994 MESA, AZ N172ST Minor substantial
THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL BY HIS IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS. FACTORS RELATED TO THIS ACCIDENT WERE THE PIL…

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL BY HIS IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS. FACTORS RELATED TO THIS ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE AND THE CROSSWIND.

Aug 21, 1994 SIMI VALLEY, CA N739VY Serious substantial
FUEL EXHAUSTION AFTER THE STUDENT PILOT BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: FAILURE OF THE SUPERVISING FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (…

FUEL EXHAUSTION AFTER THE STUDENT PILOT BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: FAILURE OF THE SUPERVISING FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (CFI) TO FOLLOW THE FAA APPROVED SYLLABUS, INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE COMPANY/OPERATOR MANAGEMENT, DARKNESS, AND THE STUDENT'S LACK OF NIGHT FLYING EXPERIENCE.

Aug 19, 1994 CLARKSBURG, TN N9797V Incident substantial
THE FAILURE OF THE ALTERNATOR DRIVE COUPLING, AND DEBRIS FROM THE FAILED COUPLING THAT LODGED IN THE ENGINE OIL PUMP, RESULTING IN A SHEARED OIL PUMP…

THE FAILURE OF THE ALTERNATOR DRIVE COUPLING, AND DEBRIS FROM THE FAILED COUPLING THAT LODGED IN THE ENGINE OIL PUMP, RESULTING IN A SHEARED OIL PUMP DRIVE SHAFT. THE ENGINE SUBSEQUENTLY FAILED BECAUSE OF OIL STARVATION.

Aug 18, 1994 WRANGELL, AK N78428 Incident substantial LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDERTERMINED REASONS AND THE LACK OF A SUITABLE LANDING AREA.
Aug 16, 1994 BIG LAKE, AK N5198A Fatal (2) destroyed THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE FOG, AND THE PILOT BECOMING LOST/DISORIENTED.
Aug 15, 1994 FISHERVILLE, KY N6429B Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in a stall and inflight loss of control.
Aug 14, 1994 SCOTTSDALE, AZ N98909 Incident substantial
the pilot's misjudging the flare altitude and failing to maintain adequate airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall and hard landing. The pilot's l…

the pilot's misjudging the flare altitude and failing to maintain adequate airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall and hard landing. The pilot's lack of total time in the airplane is a factor in this accident.

Aug 14, 1994 ATLANTA, GA N9340D Fatal (2) substantial
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning in that he operated the aircraft at a weight which exceeded the maximum takeoff weight and his improper use …

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning in that he operated the aircraft at a weight which exceeded the maximum takeoff weight and his improper use of flaps during takeoff.

Aug 12, 1994 SPRINGFIELD, OH N19644 Incident substantial The pilot's premature liftoff, failure to attain adequate airspeed, and improper level off.
Aug 08, 1994 POTTSVILLE, PA N52211 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to attain adequate airpseed, which resulted in a stall/mush and collision with a tree.
Aug 08, 1994 CARSON CITY, NV N4390R Incident substantial the pilot's decision to attempt a landing in crosswind conditions which exceeded the capability of the aircraft.
Aug 06, 1994 PITTSTOWN, NJ N9686B Minor substantial THE PILOT'S PREMATURE LIFT OFF AND FAILURE TO ATTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED.
Aug 02, 1994 ABERDEEN, SD N35790 Incident substantial the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. A related factor is the dark night conditions.
Jul 30, 1994 ROCKFORD, MI N84514 Minor substantial the student pilot's failure to refuel the airplane prior to fuel exhaustion.
Jul 30, 1994 CAMERON PARK, CA N739RF Incident substantial the pilot's improper use of the elevator control during the landing flare.
Jul 27, 1994 ENGLEWOOD, CO N739VN Incident destroyed AN INADVERTENT STALL. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S EXCESSIVE FLARE.
Jul 26, 1994 BLOCK ISLAND, RI N5647A Incident substantial
The pilot's improper decision to initiate VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. The dark night light conditions and the fog were cont…

The pilot's improper decision to initiate VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. The dark night light conditions and the fog were contributing factors.

Jul 22, 1994 ENGLEWOOD, CO N6086R Minor substantial AN INADVERTENT STALL. FACTORS WERE THE AIRPLANE'S MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT AND CLIMB CAPABILITY WERE EXCEEDED, AND A HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.
Jul 22, 1994 SEATTLE, WA N73175 Minor substantial THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT WAS MISJUDGED BY THE PILOT. DURING THE GO-AROUND ATTEMPT, HE FAILED TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM OBSTACLES.
Jul 21, 1994 MARINETTE, WI N1399F Minor substantial
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE REMEDIAL AC…

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION AND THE GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS.

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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