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 04, 1994 VALENCIA, CA N734ZK Minor substantial the pilot's selection of an unsuitable field for an off-airport landing and attempted takeoff.
May 31, 1994 ROOSEVELT, AZ N6305J Fatal (1) destroyed
the pilot's selection of an inadequate terrain clearance altitude while maneuvering over a lake. A factor in the accident was the calm glassy water c…

the pilot's selection of an inadequate terrain clearance altitude while maneuvering over a lake. A factor in the accident was the calm glassy water conditions which may have affected the pilot's perception of his actual height above the water.

May 29, 1994 LOOKOUT PASS, ID N30608 Serious (1) destroyed POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING. FACTORS INCLUDE CLOUDY WEATHER.
May 28, 1994 RICHMOND, IN N733DW Fatal (1) destroyed INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOTS OF BOTH AIRPLANES.
May 26, 1994 HARTFORD, AL N73846 Incident substantial
THE STUDENT PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR GUSTING WIND CONDITIONS DURING THE APPROACH TO LAND. FACTORS WERE THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S INADEQUATE SU…

THE STUDENT PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR GUSTING WIND CONDITIONS DURING THE APPROACH TO LAND. FACTORS WERE THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF HIS STUDENT, THE GUSTING WIND CONDITIONS, AND THE TREES LOCATED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE RUNWAY.

May 24, 1994 FREDERICKSBURG, VA N737SE Incident substantial
The pilot's premature lift-off, resulting in an inadvertent stall/mush back onto the runway, and the pilot's failure to maintain directional control d…

The pilot's premature lift-off, resulting in an inadvertent stall/mush back onto the runway, and the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the aborted takeoff, which resulted in the airplane veering off the runway and colliding with a dirt bank. A factor in this accident was the pilot's lack of recent flying experience.

May 24, 1994 MACKINAC ISLAND, MI N3558E Incident substantial
EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED AND A FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT ON THE RUNWAY. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE WET RUNWAY AND THE FENC…

EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED AND A FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT ON THE RUNWAY. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE WET RUNWAY AND THE FENCE WHICH WAS CONTACTED.

May 24, 1994 GROTON, CT N6891H Incident substantial the pilot's inadequate visual lookout during taxi, which resulted in the airplane's wing tip striking ground support equipment.
May 23, 1994 PAGE, AZ N1422E Minor substantial THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASON. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN AT THE PILOT'S DISPOSAL.
May 16, 1994 ARVIN, CA N738VE Minor substantial a fatigue failure of the crankshaft gear teeth.
May 14, 1994 FERNANDINA, FL N99998 Minor substantial
THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S IMPROPER USE OF FLIGHT CONTROLS AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND UNCONTROLLED DESCENT…

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S IMPROPER USE OF FLIGHT CONTROLS AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND UNCONTROLLED DESCENT TO GROUND IMPACT.

May 13, 1994 ARLINGTON, TX N98723 Fatal (2) destroyed THE PILOT'S LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON, WHILE MANEUVERING IN THE VICINITY OF THE AIRPORT.
May 08, 1994 SANTA ANA, CA N8246B Incident substantial
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft. A factor in the accident was the pilot's limited experience in conventional gear…

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft. A factor in the accident was the pilot's limited experience in conventional gear aircraft.

Apr 30, 1994 MONARCH, MT N739CW Minor substantial POOR IN FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS DOWNDRAFTS.
Apr 29, 1994 HILLSBORO, OR N53161 Incident substantial POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION AND UNCONTROLLED PORPOISE.
Apr 22, 1994 SEDONA, AZ N2946E Incident substantial THE CFI'S IMPROPER LEVEL OFF DURING LANDING. THE TAILWIND WAS A FACTOR.
Apr 20, 1994 HOWES, SD N46474 Incident substantial THE DIVERTED ATTENTION OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE.
Apr 17, 1994 SPARTANBURG, SC N711GT Incident substantial The inadequate visual lookout by the pilot of Cessna 172K, N711GT.
Apr 17, 1994 ARLINGTON, CA N5709R Incident substantial
FAILURE OF THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TO PROPERLY SUPERVISE THE STUDENT PILOT AND PERFORM THE APPROPRIATE REMEDIAL ACTION BEFORE THE AIRPLANE DES…

FAILURE OF THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR TO PROPERLY SUPERVISE THE STUDENT PILOT AND PERFORM THE APPROPRIATE REMEDIAL ACTION BEFORE THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED TO AN ALTITUDE TOO LOW FOR RECOVERY. FACTORS WERE THE STUDENT PILOT'S HANDLING OF THE AIRPLANE WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.

Apr 16, 1994 COLVILLE, WA N3854Q Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN A PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT, AND HIS EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED AT THE POINT OF TOUCHDOWN. FACTORS INCLUDE THE STUDENT PILOT'S LACK…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN A PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT, AND HIS EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED AT THE POINT OF TOUCHDOWN. FACTORS INCLUDE THE STUDENT PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE, AND A RAVINE OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY.

Apr 15, 1994 TULSA, OK N63456 Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR WAS THE GUSTING CROSS WIND.
Apr 14, 1994 BARNWELL, SC N61990 Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FLARE PROPERLY WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING.
Apr 13, 1994 CRESCENT CITY, FL N8196G Incident substantial THE PILOT'S IMPROPER DESCENT RATE, AND THE CHECK PILOT'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION. THE GLASSY WATER CONDITION WAS A FACTOR.
Apr 11, 1994 ELKO, NV N54006 Serious (1) substantial
the student pilot's improper use of the throttle and flap controls during a bounced landing recovery, and, his failure to maintain an adequate airspee…

the student pilot's improper use of the throttle and flap controls during a bounced landing recovery, and, his failure to maintain an adequate airspeed, which led to an inadvertent stall/spin.

Apr 11, 1994 EDINA, MO N4253L Incident destroyed
the pilot in commands' failure to obtain obstruction clearance from trees during a visual takeoff from a short, soft, wet field in instrument meteorol…

the pilot in commands' failure to obtain obstruction clearance from trees during a visual takeoff from a short, soft, wet field in instrument meteorological conditions. A factor was the pilot in commands' misjudgment of the takeoff climb performance of the airplane, which resulted in striking trees at the departure end of the field. A second factor was the operation of the airplane with a known defective wet compass, which resulted in the pilot's disorientation and led him to land in the unsuitable 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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