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 30, 1993 JOSHUA TREE, CA N8279E Incident substantial the pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate on final approach. A factor in the accident was the student's limited total experience.
Oct 24, 1993 MURRIETA, CA N96353 Incident substantial THE UNEXPECTED WINDSHEER THAT WAS ENCOUNTERED ON FINAL APPROACH. THE SURROUNDING MOUNTAIN/HILLY TERRAIN WAS A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT.
Oct 24, 1993 WOODVILLE, TX N317BB Minor substantial FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING AN ABORTED LANDING.
Oct 22, 1993 NORTH BEND, OR N79405 Fatal (1) destroyed LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE IN FLIGHT DUE TO PILOT INCAPACITATION FROM ATHEROSCLEROTIC HEART DISEASE.
Oct 16, 1993 CULEBRA, PR N16582 Incident substantial
The poor in-flight decision of the pilot-in-command to bank the airplane while flying low level instead of climbing to avoid collision with a bird. Co…

The poor in-flight decision of the pilot-in-command to bank the airplane while flying low level instead of climbing to avoid collision with a bird. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water.

Oct 16, 1993 JACKSONVILLE, TX N7825T Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES TO TROUBLESHOOT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. A FACTOR WAS AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IRREGULARITY OF AN …

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES TO TROUBLESHOOT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. A FACTOR WAS AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IRREGULARITY OF AN UNDETERMINED NATURE.

Oct 15, 1993 CO. SPRINGS, CO N5191F Incident substantial AN ENCOUNTER WITH WAKE TURBULENCE DURING THE LANDING FLARE. A FACTOR WAS LACK OF TOTAL PILOT EXPERIENCE.
Oct 14, 1993 KELSO, WA N115FR Fatal (2) destroyed THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE PUBLISHED MISSED APPROACH PROCEDURE. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE WEATHER AND MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.
Oct 12, 1993 BLOUNTVILLE, TN N12657 Incident substantial IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN INADEQUATE FUEL AND FUEL EXHAUSTION.
Oct 10, 1993 INDEPENDENCE, MO N738LX Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S MISJUDGMENT OF DISTANCE, ALTITUDE, AND SPEED ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN OBSTACLE CLEARANCE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE …

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGMENT OF DISTANCE, ALTITUDE, AND SPEED ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN OBSTACLE CLEARANCE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE PROXIMITY OF THE VEHICLE TO THE APPROACH PATH WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

Oct 09, 1993 RENTON, WA N7367E Incident substantial THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING. THE CROSSWIND WAS A FACTOR.
Oct 08, 1993 LONGBRANCH, WA N9932Q Incident substantial THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROCEDURES. FACTORS INCLUDE CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS AND SOFT TERRAIN IN THE LANDING AREA.
Oct 08, 1993 SEDONA, AZ N5365D Fatal (1) destroyed
the pilot's decision to continue VFR at an improper altitude into mountainous terrain at night and the inadvertent encounter with clouds along the rou…

the pilot's decision to continue VFR at an improper altitude into mountainous terrain at night and the inadvertent encounter with clouds along the route. Self-induced pressure due to a low fuel state contributed to the accident.

Oct 05, 1993 CORVALLIS, OR N16ED Incident substantial THE CFI'S INADEQUATE IN-FLIGHT PLANNING, AND HIS INADVERTENT GEAR-UP LANDING. FACTORS INCLUDE THE CFI'S DIVERTED ATTENTION.
Oct 04, 1993 WELLSVILLE, NY N20286 Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall and inflight collision with the terrain.
Oct 02, 1993 MT. GILEAD, OH N736RZ Incident substantial
the pilot's improper inflight decision to conduct a night landing at an airport without runway lights, and the subsequent misalignment with the runway…

the pilot's improper inflight decision to conduct a night landing at an airport without runway lights, and the subsequent misalignment with the runway and collision with an object.

Oct 01, 1993 ELLENSBURG, WA N172LS Fatal (3) destroyed
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED ABOVE STALLING SPEED (VS), AND HIS INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION. FACTORS INCLUDE THE PILOT'S DIVERTED ATTENT…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED ABOVE STALLING SPEED (VS), AND HIS INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION. FACTORS INCLUDE THE PILOT'S DIVERTED ATTENTION, AND AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN.

Sep 25, 1993 LONG ISLAND, TK N8676U Minor destroyed Investigation pending
Sep 25, 1993 EMPORIA, VA N9841L Incident substantial THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A TAKEOFF. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S DELAY IN INITIATING AN ABORTED TAKEOFF.
Sep 24, 1993 PHOENIX, AZ N98909 Incident substantial THE PILOT'S MISJUDGING THE LANDING FLARE. A PHYSICAL PROBLEM MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED.
Sep 22, 1993 HOLLYWOOD, FL N20457 Incident substantial INADVERTENT EXCEEDING OF VFE WITH THE FLAPS EXTENDED BY THE STUDENT PILOT WHILE PRACTICING MANEUVERS.
Sep 19, 1993 NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI N9931Q Incident substantial THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY ALLOWED THE AIRPLANE TO STALL AS HE WAS MANEUVERING TO AVOID BIRDS ON FINAL APPROACH.
Sep 16, 1993 FIELDON, IL N52502 Incident substantial
PARTIAL FAILURE (DETERIORATION) OF THE #1 PISTON PIN PLUG, WHICH RESULTED IN CONTAMINATION OF THE LUBRICATING SYSTEM AND FAILURE OF THE #3 CONNECTING …

PARTIAL FAILURE (DETERIORATION) OF THE #1 PISTON PIN PLUG, WHICH RESULTED IN CONTAMINATION OF THE LUBRICATING SYSTEM AND FAILURE OF THE #3 CONNECTING ROD.

Sep 12, 1993 INDIANAPOLIS, IN N5678R Incident substantial THE FAILURE OF THE LEFT MAGNETO, WHICH RESULTED IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.
Sep 12, 1993 LIBERTY, MS N3767R Fatal (1) destroyed
THE PILOT'S DELAYED GO-AROUND AND FAILURE TO RETRACT THE FLAPS IN A TIMELY MANNER. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S MISJUDG…

THE PILOT'S DELAYED GO-AROUND AND FAILURE TO RETRACT THE FLAPS IN A TIMELY MANNER. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S MISJUDGMENT OF DISTANCE AND SPEED WHICH RESULTED IN OVERSHOOTING THE APPROACH, AND THE EXISTENCE OF POWER LINES CROSSING DIRECTLY OVER THE RUNWAY. THE COMBINATION OF THE GO-AROUND FLIGHT PROFILE WITH FULL FLAPS EXTENDED AND THE LOCATION OF THE WIRES MOST LIKELY LED TO AN EVASIVE MANEUVER AND INADVERTENT STALL INTO THE WIRES.

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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