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 04, 1991 LAKE ELSINORE, CA N2457L Incident substantial THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT FOR UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING AND POOR VISUAL LOOKOUT.
Aug 02, 1991 WHEELING, IL N97650 Incident substantial
INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE A GUSTY CRO…

INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE A GUSTY CROSSWIND LANDING ENVIRONMENT AND A DITCH.

Aug 02, 1991 CUMBY, TX N5524R Incident substantial POWER LOSS DUE TO A BLOCKED FUEL VENT SYSTEM. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Aug 01, 1991 FREDERICKSBURG, VA N6002R Incident substantial THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF THE IMPROPER FUEL TANK. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT DID NOT USE THE CHECK LIST.
Jul 31, 1991 SEDONA, AZ N2946E Incident substantial THE PILOT'S MISJUDGED LANDING FLARE AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER GO-AROUND COURSE OVER THE RUNWAY.
Jul 30, 1991 OBERLIN, KS N7113A Incident substantial
THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S DISCONTINUING HIS CROSSWIND COMP…

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S DISCONTINUING HIS CROSSWIND COMPENSATION AND HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF OPERATION.

Jul 28, 1991 GREENVILLE, ME N5482K Minor substantial INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR GUSTING WINDS BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND.
Jul 27, 1991 SHEBOYGAN, WI N4821G Minor substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL. FACTORS ARE THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPEREINCE, HIS INADEQUATE RECOVERY FROM THE BOUNCED LANDING A…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL. FACTORS ARE THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPEREINCE, HIS INADEQUATE RECOVERY FROM THE BOUNCED LANDING AND THE CROSSWIND CONDITION.

Jul 27, 1991 LANSING, IL N66365 Fatal (1) destroyed
THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN DURING LOW ALTITUDE MANEUVERS. RELATED FACTORS ARE GROUND PERSONNEL'S INADEQUATE TRAFFIC ADVISORY, AND THE PILOT'S…

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN DURING LOW ALTITUDE MANEUVERS. RELATED FACTORS ARE GROUND PERSONNEL'S INADEQUATE TRAFFIC ADVISORY, AND THE PILOT'S ABRUPT PULL UP.

Jul 24, 1991 PHILLIPS, ME N85HC Serious (3) destroyed
AN INADVERTENT STALL AND LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE WING FLAPS FOR TAKEOFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PI…

AN INADVERTENT STALL AND LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE WING FLAPS FOR TAKEOFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S MISUNDERSTANDING OF AIRPLANE PERFORMANCE, AND THE PILOT'S DECISION TO TAKEOFF UPHILL.

Jul 24, 1991 NAPA, CA N5352D Incident substantial
THE CFI'S FAILURE TO INITIATE THE GO-AROUND MANEUVER IN A TIMELY MANNER, AND HIS FAILURE TO TERMINATE THE SIMULATED EMERGENCY MANEUVER AT A PROPER ALT…

THE CFI'S FAILURE TO INITIATE THE GO-AROUND MANEUVER IN A TIMELY MANNER, AND HIS FAILURE TO TERMINATE THE SIMULATED EMERGENCY MANEUVER AT A PROPER ALTITUDE. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE GUSTY SURFACE WIND.

Jul 22, 1991 WATKINS, CO N733BX Incident substantial THE PILOT SELECTED THE WRONG RUNWAY AND LANDED WITH A TAILWIND.
Jul 22, 1991 SYLVA, NC N52433 Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER ALTITUDE WHILE MANEUVERING IN THE CANYON. FACTOR(S) IN THIS ACCIDENT WE…

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER ALTITUDE WHILE MANEUVERING IN THE CANYON. FACTOR(S) IN THIS ACCIDENT WERE: THE MOUNTAINOUS, BOX CANYON CONDITIONS, THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, AND THE DOWNDRAFT CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

Jul 21, 1991 VACAVILLE, CA N5247U Minor substantial THE PRIVATE PILOT PIC FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING ROLLOUT. THE CFI PILOT FAILED TO TAKE REMEDIAL ACTION.
Jul 20, 1991 LITTLE ROCK, WA N12958 Incident substantial
A DELAYED GO-AROUND, AND AIRSPEED NOT BEING MAINTAINED. FACTORS INCLUDE THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN THE AIRCRAFT'S ABILITY, THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOT…

A DELAYED GO-AROUND, AND AIRSPEED NOT BEING MAINTAINED. FACTORS INCLUDE THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN THE AIRCRAFT'S ABILITY, THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF OPERATION, MISJUDGED CLEARANCE, AND THE USE OF IMPROPER PROCEDURE.

Jul 20, 1991 WEST CHICAGO, IL N99515 Incident substantial DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED BY THE CFI/PIC. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE A GUSTY CROSS WIND AND AN AIRPORT FACILITY, VASI LIGHT.
Jul 19, 1991 CHICO, CA N6387E Serious (1) destroyed THE PILOT'S IMPROPER STARTING PROCEDURE.
Jul 18, 1991 LINCOLN PARK, NJ N737WG Incident substantial
THE DECISION OF THE PILOT TO DISCONTINUE A GO-AROUND, FROM AN ATTEMPTED LANDING, RESULTING IN THE AIRPLANE STRIKING TREES. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE AC…

THE DECISION OF THE PILOT TO DISCONTINUE A GO-AROUND, FROM AN ATTEMPTED LANDING, RESULTING IN THE AIRPLANE STRIKING TREES. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF TOTAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE OF THE STUDENT PILOT.

Jul 17, 1991 COLUMBUS, OH N738VP Incident substantial
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT WHICH RESULTED IN A GROUND COLLISION WITH A PARKED AIRCRAFT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE A…

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT WHICH RESULTED IN A GROUND COLLISION WITH A PARKED AIRCRAFT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO TAXI ON THE TAXIWAY CENTERLINE AND NIGHT CONDITIONS.

Jul 14, 1991 MARIPOSA, CA N6521J Incident substantial THE PILOT MISJUDGING HIS PLANNED APPROACH. A DOWN-SLOPING RUNWAY SURFACE WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.
Jul 14, 1991 OLD BRIDGE, NJ N79957 Incident substantial THE FAILURE OF BOTH PILOTS TO MAINTAIN PROPER VISUAL LOOKOUT. FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS INADEQUATE RADIO COMMUNICATIONS BY THE PILOTS.
Jul 09, 1991 MEDFORD, OR N734MD Minor substantial AN INTENTIONAL PORPOISE. FACTORS INCLUDE THE PILOT'S PSYCHOLOGICAL CONDITION.
Jul 08, 1991 MINDEN, NV N9598H Minor substantial THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE STUDENT PILOT DURING A SIMULATED EMERGENCY.
Jul 05, 1991 RONTONDA WEST, FL N7354E Minor substantial THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT WHICH CAUSED HIM TO FLY THE AIRPLANE INTO WIRES.
Jul 05, 1991 MILLVILLE, OH N21662 Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION AFTER BECOMING LOST, RESULTING IN ENGINE FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE P…

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION AFTER BECOMING LOST, RESULTING IN ENGINE FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA, AND HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF OPERATION.

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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