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 23, 1992 WEATHERFORD, TX N1672Y Incident substantial FUEL STARVATION AS RESULT OF A BLOCKED FUEL VENT SYSTEM. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Aug 18, 1992 NEW BERN, NC N5415J Incident substantial
THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ON THE LANDING ROLL. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE AND THE CROSSWIND C…

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ON THE LANDING ROLL. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE AND THE CROSSWIND CONDITIONS AT THE AIRPORT.

Aug 17, 1992 VIRGIN GORDA, VG N3955Q Incident substantial Investigation pending
Aug 10, 1992 KEENE, NH N738FW Minor substantial AN INADVERTENT STALL DURING FLAP RETRACTION, FOLLOWING AN ABORTED LANDING.
Aug 09, 1992 LAKEVIEW, OR N8100L Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FACTORS INCLUDE SOFT TERRAIN.
Aug 04, 1992 BRECKENRIDGE, TX N63930 Fatal (1) substantial AN INADVERTENT STALL.
Aug 03, 1992 BURBANK, CA N53485 Minor substantial
THE BINDING AND OVER TEMPERATURE OF AN EXHAUST VALVE DUE TO THE LACK OF COMPLIANCE WITH FACTORY SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS AND BULLETINS REGARDING VALVE STI…

THE BINDING AND OVER TEMPERATURE OF AN EXHAUST VALVE DUE TO THE LACK OF COMPLIANCE WITH FACTORY SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS AND BULLETINS REGARDING VALVE STICKING BY OTHER MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL.

Aug 02, 1992 ROCKLEDGE, FL N1196M Fatal (4) destroyed
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING THE FINAL APPROACH RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE P…

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING THE FINAL APPROACH RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OPERATION, LACK OF EXPERIENCE AT THE AIRPORT IN THE TYPE OPERATION.

Aug 02, 1992 GRAYLING, MI N8183L Fatal (3) destroyed THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL.
Jul 29, 1992 MOUNT VERNON, OH N76MF Serious (1) substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL.
Jul 29, 1992 VALKARIA, FL N89900 Incident substantial
EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED ON FINAL APPROACH BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND RESULTING IN FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT AND RUNNING OFF THE RUNWAY COLL…

EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED ON FINAL APPROACH BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND RESULTING IN FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT AND RUNNING OFF THE RUNWAY COLLIDING WITH A TREE.

Jul 29, 1992 LUBBOCK, TX N5718R Incident substantial
THE PILOT UNDER INSTRUCTION MISJUDGED HIS DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE DURING A SIMULATED FORCED LANDING, AND THE CFI FAILED TO TAKE TIMELY ACTION TO PREVENT…

THE PILOT UNDER INSTRUCTION MISJUDGED HIS DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE DURING A SIMULATED FORCED LANDING, AND THE CFI FAILED TO TAKE TIMELY ACTION TO PREVENT THE ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF HIS ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGEMENT.

Jul 28, 1992 VERNON, TX N5063A Incident substantial AIRCRAFT CONTROL NOT MAINTAINED BY PILOT. A FACTOR WAS UNFAVORABLE WIND.
Jul 26, 1992 CHENOA, IL N8262L Incident substantial
INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION ON THE PART OF THE PILOT. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ACCIDENT WERE A LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE IN THE …

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION ON THE PART OF THE PILOT. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ACCIDENT WERE A LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF OPERATION THE PILOT WAS UNDERTAKING, A PROPER CLIMB RATE NOT OBTAINED BY THE PILOT AND REMEDIAL ACTION NOT PERFORMED BY THE PILOT.

Jul 26, 1992 VAN NUYS, CA N2781E Incident substantial
THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE CHECKLIST TO ASSURE THAT THE TRIM TAB WAS IN THE PROPER POSITION AND FAILURE TO FOLLOW NORMAL PROCEDURES AND D…

THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE CHECKLIST TO ASSURE THAT THE TRIM TAB WAS IN THE PROPER POSITION AND FAILURE TO FOLLOW NORMAL PROCEDURES AND DIRECTIVES. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE, MISREADING OF THE TRIM SETTING, AND EXESSIVE NOSE DOWN ELEVATOR TRIM TAB.

Jul 26, 1992 FAIRHOPE, AL N2521Y Minor substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED DURING FINAL APPROACH WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL AND AN UNCONTROLLED COLLISION WITH THE GROUND SHORT OF TH…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED DURING FINAL APPROACH WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL AND AN UNCONTROLLED COLLISION WITH THE GROUND SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

Jul 25, 1992 PANAMA CITY, FL N733MX Serious (1)
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO STAND CLEAR OF THE PROPELLER AS HE ROTATED IT BY HAND, RESULTING IN THE PROPELLER ROTATING AROUND DUE TO ENGINE COMP…

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO STAND CLEAR OF THE PROPELLER AS HE ROTATED IT BY HAND, RESULTING IN THE PROPELLER ROTATING AROUND DUE TO ENGINE COMPRESSION, STRIKING THE PILOT, CAUSING HIM TO LOSE HIS BALANCE AND FALL TO THE RAMP, RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY.

Jul 25, 1992 OZONA, TX N9880G Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN OBSTACLE CLEARANCE.
Jul 24, 1992 FAIRPLAY, CO N4963R Fatal (1) destroyed
THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S OPERATION AT AN ALTITUDE INSUFFICIENT TO CLEAR OBSTACLES IN RISING MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. FACTORS WERE: HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, …

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S OPERATION AT AN ALTITUDE INSUFFICIENT TO CLEAR OBSTACLES IN RISING MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. FACTORS WERE: HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, DIVERSION OF THE INSTRUCTOR'S ATTENTION, AND THE RISING TERRAIN.

Jul 24, 1992 DONNELLY, ID N27JF Fatal (1) substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AFTER TAKEOFF WHILE USING IMPROPER OBSTACLE TAKEOFF PROCEDURES. FACTORS INCLUDE EXCESSIVE FLAP EXTENSION.
Jul 23, 1992 CHARLESTON, WV N12921 Minor destroyed THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED TO OUTCLIMB OBSTACLES.
Jul 23, 1992 TWIN HILLS, AK N5339H Incident substantial THE PILOT IN COMMAND NOT FOLLOWING THE PROCEDURES OUTLINED IN THE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK.
Jul 22, 1992 ELKO, NV N7138F Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE OVER THE TERRAIN, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED. THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WAS A FAC…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE OVER THE TERRAIN, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED. THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WAS A FACTOR.

Jul 22, 1992 KINGSTON, WA N52201 Fatal (1) substantial THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO CONDUCT VFR FLIGHT IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS INCLUDE FOG AND LOW CEILINGS.
Jul 19, 1992 PIQUA, OH N78483 Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL.
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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