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 10, 1992 HASTINGS, MI N80490 Incident substantial
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S MISJUDGEMENT OF THE TOUCHDOWN POINT WHICH RESULTED IN AN UNDERSHOOT AND DAMAGE TO THE ELEVATOR. IN ADDITION, THE PILOT-IN-COMMA…

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S MISJUDGEMENT OF THE TOUCHDOWN POINT WHICH RESULTED IN AN UNDERSHOOT AND DAMAGE TO THE ELEVATOR. IN ADDITION, THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND FAILED TO PROPERLY INSPECT THE AIRPLANE FOR DAMAGE PRIOR TO FURTHER FLIGHT.

Jun 10, 1992 ANCHORAGE, AK N61670 Incident substantial
INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOK OUT BY THE PILOT OF BOTH AIRCRAFT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S DIVERTED ATTENTION, THE OTHER MOVING AIRCRAFT/…

INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOK OUT BY THE PILOT OF BOTH AIRCRAFT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S DIVERTED ATTENTION, THE OTHER MOVING AIRCRAFT/OBJECT (C 172), AND THE EXCESSIVE TAXI SPEED OF THE C 172.

Jun 09, 1992 BUFFALO, NY N9263H Minor substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING A GO AROUND, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING A GO AROUND, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT DELAYED THE GO AROUND AND LACK OF RECENT FLIGHT EXPEREINCE.

Jun 09, 1992 BIG SUR, CA N5449K Fatal (3) destroyed PILOT INCAPACITION.
Jun 09, 1992 DEXTER, ME N19801 Incident substantial A FAILURE OF THE TOP TORQUE LINK BOLT ON THE NOSE LANDING GEAR WHICH RESULTED IN A LANDING WITH A FLAT STRUT AND MISALIGNED WHEEL.
Jun 01, 1992 BROOKEVILLE, MD N738YV Fatal (3) substantial
IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (PIC/CFI) IN THE CESSNA 172, HIS MISJUDGEMENT OF DISTANCE BETWEEN THE TWO AIRPLANES, AND …

IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (PIC/CFI) IN THE CESSNA 172, HIS MISJUDGEMENT OF DISTANCE BETWEEN THE TWO AIRPLANES, AND INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY BOTH PILOTS IN THE CESSNA 172.

May 31, 1992 STRAWBERRY, AZ N9645B Fatal (1) destroyed THE PILOT COMMITTED SUICIDE DUE TO THE PILOT'S EMOTIONAL STATE FROM INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS.
May 31, 1992 SAFFORD, AZ N4163L Incident substantial
THE AIRPLANE COLLIDING WITH ANIMALS WHICH RAN ON TO THE RUNWAY DURING THE PILOT'S TAKEOFF ROLL. A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT NOT BEING ABL…

THE AIRPLANE COLLIDING WITH ANIMALS WHICH RAN ON TO THE RUNWAY DURING THE PILOT'S TAKEOFF ROLL. A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT NOT BEING ABLE TO TAKE REMEDIAL ACTION AND AVOID THE ANIMALS.

May 30, 1992 CLEWISTON, FL N3793R Fatal (1) destroyed THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND (STUDENT PILOT) TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED ABOVE STALL, AND HIS INADVERTENT STALL AND SPIN.
May 30, 1992 YAKIMA, WA N7583G Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER DESCENT RATE AND INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION.
May 24, 1992 COLBURN, ID N3988Q Fatal (1) destroyed
THE PILOT BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED, FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE COURSE IN A BOX CANYON, AND THE AIRCRAFT STALLED. FACTORS …

THE PILOT BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED, FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE COURSE IN A BOX CANYON, AND THE AIRCRAFT STALLED. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE NARROW BOX CANYON, THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, AND THE LACK OF MOUNTAIN FLYING EXPERIENCE BY THE PIC.

May 24, 1992 CHEROKEE, NC N8102X Fatal (3) destroyed
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AS A RESULT OF SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. THE LACK OF TOTAL FLIGHT TIME, AND RAIN IN THE ACC…

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AS A RESULT OF SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. THE LACK OF TOTAL FLIGHT TIME, AND RAIN IN THE ACCIDENT AREA WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

May 23, 1992 COATESVILLE, PA N733PG Incident substantial
THE PASSENGERS INTERFERENCE WITH THE CONTROL YOKE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE ENTERING AN UNUSUAL ATTITUDE, AND THE PILOT OVERSTRESSING THE WINGS …

THE PASSENGERS INTERFERENCE WITH THE CONTROL YOKE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE ENTERING AN UNUSUAL ATTITUDE, AND THE PILOT OVERSTRESSING THE WINGS DURING THE RECOVERY.

May 22, 1992 EATONVILLE, WA N7579X Fatal (1) destroyed UNDETERMINED.
May 22, 1992 ST FRANCIS, ME N739GM Serious (1) destroyed FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. THE WIND CONDITION WAS A RELATED FACTOR.
May 21, 1992 DEKALB, IL N6510V Incident substantial THE PILOT NOT MAINTAINING A PROPER GLIDEPATH TO THE LANDING RUNWAY.
May 21, 1992 POUGHKEEPSIE, NY N97154 Incident substantial THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.
May 19, 1992 PRINCETON, NJ N55110 Fatal (2) destroyed THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE OVER AN OBSTACLE. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE A TAILWIND, DARK NIGHT, AND PREMATURE RAISING OF THE FLAPS.
May 19, 1992 CLIMAX SPRINGS, MO N80255 Incident substantial DELAY IN ABORTING THE LANDING BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.
May 17, 1992 DAYTONA BEACH, FL N133ER Incident substantial THE DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND (CFI) TO THE STUDENT'S PUSHING THE CONTROL YOKE FORWARD ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH.
May 16, 1992 CALDWELL, NJ N54860 Serious (2) destroyed THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IFR OPERATION. CONTRIBUTING WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT INSTRUMENT FLIGHT TIME.
May 11, 1992 MILTON, DE N4695K Minor substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED FOR CLIMB.
May 04, 1992 PARKDALE, OR N5096E Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT FOR LANDING. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT DIRT RUNWAY SURFACE.
May 02, 1992 CANTON, TX N9623V Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE ATTEMPTED GO AROUND FOLLOWING AN ENCOUNTER WITH ADVERSE WIND COND…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE ATTEMPTED GO AROUND FOLLOWING AN ENCOUNTER WITH ADVERSE WIND CONDITIONS ON APPROACH.

May 01, 1992 CONCORD, NC N5529T Incident substantial THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER BECAUSE OF THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE.
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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