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 22, 1990 GOLETA, CA N13670 Fatal (1) destroyed THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER GLIDEPATH WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS SUNGLARE.
Oct 20, 1990 PLACERVILLE, CA N7815G Incident substantial THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE LANDING ROLL.
Oct 16, 1990 FORT WAYNE, IN N5499K Fatal (3) destroyed
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED ABOVE STALLING SPEED. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT ARE PREMATURE ROTATION AND THE PILOT'S LAC…

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED ABOVE STALLING SPEED. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT ARE PREMATURE ROTATION AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

Oct 16, 1990 SAN CARLOS, CA N73403 Incident substantial THE PILOT'S VISUAL LOOKOUT WAS INADEQUATE.
Oct 14, 1990 WILLIAMSBURG, IA N99862 Fatal (1) destroyed THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S ABRUPT PULL-UP TO AVOID AN OBSTACLE. CONTRIBUTING WAS THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S DIVERTED ATTENTION TO ACTIVITIES ON THE GROUND.
Oct 11, 1990 DAYTON, OH N2233E Incident destroyed
A CARBURETOR FIRE DUE TO AN ENGINE BACKFIRE. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS IMPROPER REMEDIAL ACTION TAKEN BY THE PILOT TO EXTINGUISH THE ENGIN…

A CARBURETOR FIRE DUE TO AN ENGINE BACKFIRE. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS IMPROPER REMEDIAL ACTION TAKEN BY THE PILOT TO EXTINGUISH THE ENGINE FIRE.

Oct 09, 1990 CLAREMORE, OK N46174 Incident substantial FAILURE OF PILOT IN COMMAND TO INSURE THE AIRCRAFT CONTAINED ENOUGH FUEL FOR THE FLIGHT RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.
Oct 08, 1990 VALDOSTA, GA N172SC Incident substantial
THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING A TAKEOFF ATTEMPT. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE STUDENT'S OVERALL LACK OF FLIGH…

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING A TAKEOFF ATTEMPT. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE STUDENT'S OVERALL LACK OF FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, AND THE REPORTED WIND GUST.

Oct 04, 1990 EMPORIA, KS N3226L Minor substantial GUSTY CROSSWINDS, EXCESSIVE FLAP SETTING, AND LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF OPERATION.
Oct 04, 1990 MIDLAND, MI N2592Y Minor substantial
THE PILOT DID NOT REFUEL RESULTING IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE INADVERTENT STALL ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FORCED LANDING WAS ALS…

THE PILOT DID NOT REFUEL RESULTING IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE INADVERTENT STALL ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FORCED LANDING WAS ALSO A CAUSE.

Oct 02, 1990 GORHAM, NH N98438 Fatal (3) destroyed
IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE WHILE FLYING OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE AC…

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE WHILE FLYING OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS, MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, AND PILOT FATIGUE.

Sep 30, 1990 ANCHORAGE, AK N6523H Minor substantial
THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT DUE TO CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL, AND HIS IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE S…

THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT DUE TO CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL, AND HIS IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.

Sep 29, 1990 STOKESDALE, NC N1904V Incident substantial
THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE DRIVEN OIL PUMP WHICH RESULTED IN OIL STARVATION TO THE ENGINE. FACTORS WERE: THE FAA'S FAILURE TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT STANDA…

THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE DRIVEN OIL PUMP WHICH RESULTED IN OIL STARVATION TO THE ENGINE. FACTORS WERE: THE FAA'S FAILURE TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT STANDARDS FOR AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE COMPLIANCE, AND THE ROUGH TERRAIN.

Sep 29, 1990 NEILTON, WA N738AQ Fatal (2) destroyed THE FAILURE OF THE CREW TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM THE TERRAIN. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE MOUNTAINOUS AND BOX CANYON TERRAIN.
Sep 28, 1990 BROTHERS, OR N6522V Serious (1) destroyed THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISIONS THAT LED TO HIM FLYING INTO RISING TERRAAIN WHILE ENGAGED IN LOW LEVEL FLIGHT ACTIVITIES.
Sep 26, 1990 MARYVILLE, KY N96839 Incident substantial THE FAILURE OF A HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF FLUID, AND AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE SYSTEM DURING LANDING ROLL.
Sep 22, 1990 RENO, NV N6617D Serious (1) substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE STRONG CROSSWIND CONDITIONS.
Sep 22, 1990 OROVADA, NV N13686 Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO INITIATE A GO-AROUND. HIS LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF OPERATION, (LANDINGS), AND THE INADVERTENT GROUND LOOP WERE FACT…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO INITIATE A GO-AROUND. HIS LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF OPERATION, (LANDINGS), AND THE INADVERTENT GROUND LOOP WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

Sep 21, 1990 HUNTINGTON, IN N8259U Minor destroyed THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING ENSURING SUFFICIENT FUEL FOR THE INTENDED FLIGHT.
Sep 20, 1990 MASON, TX N746JG Incident substantial THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT.
Sep 17, 1990 OZARK, AL N6411V Incident substantial
INADEQUATE ENGINE OVERHAUL PROCEDURES WHICH ALLOWED THE INSTALLATION OF THE ENGINE PLUG WITHOUT SAFETY WIRE TO HOLD IT IN PLACE, AND WHICH RESULTED IN…

INADEQUATE ENGINE OVERHAUL PROCEDURES WHICH ALLOWED THE INSTALLATION OF THE ENGINE PLUG WITHOUT SAFETY WIRE TO HOLD IT IN PLACE, AND WHICH RESULTED IN OIL STARVATION OF THE ENGINE.

Sep 16, 1990 HOOD RIVER, OR N5332K Fatal (1) destroyed THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S ENCOUNTERING SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED.
Sep 15, 1990 ABERDEEN, SD N73059 Fatal (2) destroyed FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A SAFE AIRSPEED RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN.
Sep 13, 1990 FRESNO, CA N738PF Incident substantial THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE FLARE ALTITUDE AND FAILED TO PROPERLY RECOVER FROM A BOUNCED LANDING.
Sep 13, 1990 PARIS, IL N75785 Fatal (2) destroyed
THE PILOT'S CONTINUATION OF VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE FOG AND THE DARK NIGHT…

THE PILOT'S CONTINUATION OF VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE FOG AND THE DARK NIGHT.

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.
← Cessna 172 For Sale All Cessna Models
Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data
View 500 Cessna 172 for sale ↓