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
Feb 16, 1994 CULEBRA, PR N79401 Serious (1) substantial
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND(CFI) TO INITIATE A GO-AROUND AFTER ENCOUNTERING SEVERE TURBULENCE DURING LANDING FLARE AND HIS DECISION TO RAISE T…

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND(CFI) TO INITIATE A GO-AROUND AFTER ENCOUNTERING SEVERE TURBULENCE DURING LANDING FLARE AND HIS DECISION TO RAISE THE FLAPS AND REDUCE ENGINE POWER TO IDLE AFTER DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST RESULTING IN THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDING WITH A HOUSE.

Feb 12, 1994 NEW CUYAMA, CA N7333G Minor substantial the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft.
Feb 06, 1994 ORLANDO, FL N54729 Incident substantial
THE FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO FOLLOW INSTUCTIONS GIVEN BY GROUND CONTROL AND THE FAILURE OF BOTH PILOTS TO MAINTAIN PROPER OBSTRUCTION CLEARANCE…

THE FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO FOLLOW INSTUCTIONS GIVEN BY GROUND CONTROL AND THE FAILURE OF BOTH PILOTS TO MAINTAIN PROPER OBSTRUCTION CLEARANCE BETWEEN AIRCRAFT.

Feb 04, 1994 OPA-LOCKA, FL N9003E Incident minor
INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION AND LUBRICATION OF THE FLAP ROLLERS WHICH RESULTED IN THE LEFT FLAP INBOARD ROLLER BECOMING JAMMED IN THE TRACK DURI…

INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION AND LUBRICATION OF THE FLAP ROLLERS WHICH RESULTED IN THE LEFT FLAP INBOARD ROLLER BECOMING JAMMED IN THE TRACK DURING FLAP RETRACTION.

Jan 25, 1994 LIVERMORE, CA N6375D Incident substantial
THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL AND HIS IMPROPER USE OF THE RUDDER. THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO RAISE THE FLAPS, THE PREVAILING…

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL AND HIS IMPROPER USE OF THE RUDDER. THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO RAISE THE FLAPS, THE PREVAILING 90-DEGREE CROSSWIND, AND HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE ARE FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT.

Jan 09, 1994 PERRY, GA N1432F Serious (1) substantial
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT INSPECTION, IN THAT HE DID NOT REMOVE THE FLIGHT CONTROL GUST LOCK PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT. A FACTOR WAS THE USE…

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT INSPECTION, IN THAT HE DID NOT REMOVE THE FLIGHT CONTROL GUST LOCK PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT. A FACTOR WAS THE USE OF AN UNAPPROVED, UNMARKED RIVET AS A FLIGHT CONTROL LOCK.

Jan 02, 1994 PEARLAND, TX N739TL Fatal (5) destroyed
INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT OF THE HAWK BM-4, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO SEE-AND-AVOID THE CESSNA 172. THE BM-4 PILOT'S NON-STANDARD …

INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT OF THE HAWK BM-4, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO SEE-AND-AVOID THE CESSNA 172. THE BM-4 PILOT'S NON-STANDARD PROCEDURE FOR ENTERING THE TRAFFIC PATTERN WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

Jan 01, 1994 BANDON, OR N2813U Fatal (2) destroyed
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE. FACTORS INCLUDE STRONG, GUST WINDS, A DARK NIGHT, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN NIGHTTIME …

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE. FACTORS INCLUDE STRONG, GUST WINDS, A DARK NIGHT, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN NIGHTTIME OPERATIONS.

Dec 31, 1993 CHEYENNE, WY N3734F Minor substantial THE PILOT'S POOR IN FLIGHT DECISION. FACTORS INCLUDE HIGH WINDS, GUSTS, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE OPERATING IN HIGH WIND CONDITIONS.
Dec 30, 1993 EL MONTE, CA N7553E Incident substantial THE PILOT'S DELAYED DECISION TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF AND IMPROPER USE OF THE AIRPLANE'S THROTTLE.
Dec 20, 1993 LANCASTER, TX N13051 Fatal (1) substantial was THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL DUE TO PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT (ALCOHOL).
Dec 18, 1993 KIMBALL, NE N4930G Incident substantial
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. A factor related to the accident was the pilot's lack of total flight ex…

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. A factor related to the accident was the pilot's lack of total flight experience.

Dec 17, 1993 BAR HARBOR, ME N5753E Incident substantial A DISCONNECTED FUEL LINE WITH THE CARBURETOR NOT INSTALLED, AND IMPROPER DISPATCH OF THE AIRCRAFT.
Nov 28, 1993 PANOCHE, CA N65922 Minor substantial
the pilot's improper approach speed and glide path, and his delayed initiation of a go-around. A factor in the accident was the wind shear condition …

the pilot's improper approach speed and glide path, and his delayed initiation of a go-around. A factor in the accident was the wind shear condition created by the hills immediately off the departure end of the dirt airstrip.

Nov 27, 1993 ALBUQUERQUE, NM N4759G Incident substantial THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE.
Nov 26, 1993 GADSDEN, AL N7702U Fatal (1) substantial
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PRE-FLIGHT PREPARATION AND HIS CONTINUED VISUAL FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS WERE FOG, LOW CEILING…

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PRE-FLIGHT PREPARATION AND HIS CONTINUED VISUAL FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS WERE FOG, LOW CEILING, AND HILLY TERRAIN.

Nov 25, 1993 JACKSONVILLE, FL N89900 Incident substantial THE IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR BY THE PILOT-IN- COMMAND RESULTING IN FUEL STARVATION.
Nov 22, 1993 JULIAN, CA N5312R Fatal (2) destroyed
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL. FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT WERE: 1) THE DARK NIGHT AND LACK OF AMBIENT LIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN THE PI…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL. FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT WERE: 1) THE DARK NIGHT AND LACK OF AMBIENT LIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY FLYING FROM VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS; 2) THE PILOT'S LACK OF INSTRUMENT FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, AND 3) SPATIAL DISORIENTATION.

Nov 21, 1993 KALAMAZOO, MI N35549 Fatal (1) destroyed UNDETERMINED.
Nov 18, 1993 SANTA ANA, CA N97766 Incident substantial
were the CFI's inadequate supervision of the flight and his delay in taking remedial action. The dual student's excessive taxi speed and the worn rig…

were the CFI's inadequate supervision of the flight and his delay in taking remedial action. The dual student's excessive taxi speed and the worn right brake lining were factors in this accident.

Nov 15, 1993 ORLANDO, FL N1753V Incident substantial THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND OF THE OTHER AIRCRAFT TO MAINTAIN A VISUAL LOOKOUT AND CLEARANCE BETWEEN AIRCRAFT.
Nov 15, 1993 FORT COLLINS, CO N4829E Serious (1) destroyed
POWER LOSS DUE TO THROTTLE LINKAGE DISCONNECT. FACTORS WERE MISSING COTTER KEY, IMPROPER MAINTENANCE, AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED …

POWER LOSS DUE TO THROTTLE LINKAGE DISCONNECT. FACTORS WERE MISSING COTTER KEY, IMPROPER MAINTENANCE, AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

Nov 09, 1993 MOBERLY, MO N35537 Minor substantial the failure of the pilot-in-command to use all of the available runway.
Nov 06, 1993 HALF MOON BAY, CA N2718L Incident substantial
IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT OF THE SECOND STEARMAN, AND HIS SELECTION OF THE WRONG RUNWAY ON WHICH TO LAND. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDE…

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT OF THE SECOND STEARMAN, AND HIS SELECTION OF THE WRONG RUNWAY ON WHICH TO LAND. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: FAILURE OF THE STEARMAN PILOTS TO OBTAIN PERTINENT NOTAM INFORMATION.

Nov 01, 1993 MCKENZIE BRIDGE, OR N6629H Minor substantial A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.
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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