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
Sep 11, 1990 PARKER, CO N1241U Incident substantial THE DUAL STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE AIRCRAFT POWER PLANT CONTROLS, RESULTED IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.
Sep 11, 1990 DILLON, MT N5345D Incident substantial PILOT MISJUDGED THE FLARE THAT RESULTED IN A BOUNCED LANDING.
Sep 09, 1990 LEWISTON, ID N9895V Incident substantial
THE FAILURE OF A NOSE LANDING GEAR FORK, WHICH RESULTED IN THE PILOT'S LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND A NOSE-OVER AFTER AN EXCURSION FROM THE RUNWAY…

THE FAILURE OF A NOSE LANDING GEAR FORK, WHICH RESULTED IN THE PILOT'S LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND A NOSE-OVER AFTER AN EXCURSION FROM THE RUNWAY.

Sep 08, 1990 MCKINLEY PARK, AK N5271H Fatal (2) destroyed FAILURE OF BOTH PILOTS TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT TO SEE-AND-AVOID OTHER AIRCRAFT.
Sep 08, 1990 SANTA BARBARA, CA N51362 Incident substantial A DISCONNECT OF THE THROTTLE CONTROL.
Sep 07, 1990 PLYMOUTH, FL N6600H Incident substantial THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ARREST THE HIGH RATE OF DESCENT PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN.
Sep 02, 1990 PINE CITY, MN N733CH Fatal (1) destroyed
THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF THE FUEL SUPPLY, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE MAKE AN…

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF THE FUEL SUPPLY, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE MAKE AND MODEL OF AIRCRAFT.

Sep 02, 1990 GRANITE FALLS, WA N65857 Incident substantial THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S USE OF EXCESSIVE FLAPS FOR TAKEOFF RESULTING IN LOSS OF CLIMB PERFORMANCE.
Sep 01, 1990 MONTAUK, NY N4324Q Fatal (1) destroyed
PILOT FAILED TO ATTAIN AIRSPEED DURING A GO AROUND, RESULTING IN THE AIRPLANE STALLING AT A LOW ALTITUDE. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S ATTENTIO…

PILOT FAILED TO ATTAIN AIRSPEED DURING A GO AROUND, RESULTING IN THE AIRPLANE STALLING AT A LOW ALTITUDE. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED TO AIRPORT MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL WORKING NEAR THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY.

Aug 31, 1990 PLAINVILLE, CT N98409 Incident substantial THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING A CROSS WIND LANDING, SUBSEQUENTLY RUNNING OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.
Aug 29, 1990 BLOOMINGTON, IN N4182L Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE CROSSWIND WAS A FACTOR.
Aug 25, 1990 LAKEVIEW, AR N8450E Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALIGNMENT DURING LANDING.
Aug 25, 1990 FARMINGTON, MO N4347R Incident substantial REMEDIAL ACTION WAS NOT ATTAINED BY THE CFI. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS INADEQUATE AIRSPEED AND PORPOISE ENCOUNTERED BY THE DUAL STUDENT PILOT.
Aug 24, 1990 PALMETTO, GA N6173E Minor substantial
THE PILOT'S OPERATION OF THE AIRPLANE WITH KNOWN MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED CONDITION OF THE MAGN…

THE PILOT'S OPERATION OF THE AIRPLANE WITH KNOWN MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED CONDITION OF THE MAGNETOS.

Aug 20, 1990 ONANCOCK, VA N6599R Fatal (2) substantial
THE INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL BECAUSE THE PILOT EXPERIENCED SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. OTHER FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT ARE VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC, NIGH…

THE INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL BECAUSE THE PILOT EXPERIENCED SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. OTHER FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT ARE VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC, NIGHT CONDITIONS.

Aug 20, 1990 BROKEN ARROW, OK N73571 Minor substantial THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF.
Aug 19, 1990 LAWRENCEVILE, GA N5354Q Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL.
Aug 16, 1990 GOLETA, CA N80981 Minor destroyed THE LOSS OF ENGINE OIL PRESSURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.
Aug 14, 1990 SEWARD, AK N7721U Incident substantial
THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S SELECTION OF THE WRONG RUNWAY FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND HIS FAILURE TO ABORT LANDING IN A TIMELY MANNER RESULTING IN OVERRUN OF T…

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S SELECTION OF THE WRONG RUNWAY FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND HIS FAILURE TO ABORT LANDING IN A TIMELY MANNER RESULTING IN OVERRUN OF THE RUNWAY AND ON GROUND COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.

Aug 14, 1990 KEWAUNEE, WI N9529H Fatal (2) destroyed UNDETERMINED.
Aug 13, 1990 RIDGE SPRING, SC N66068 Incident substantial
THE FAILURE OF THE MAINTENANCE FACILITY/OWNER TO FOLLOW STANDARD PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO EXTEND THE FLA…

THE FAILURE OF THE MAINTENANCE FACILITY/OWNER TO FOLLOW STANDARD PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO EXTEND THE FLAPS DURING THE FORCED LANDING.

Aug 11, 1990 COALINGA, CA N9551L Incident substantial THE FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO ACCURATELY INTERPRET THE WIND SOCK, AND HIS INADVERTENT ATTEMPT TO PERFORM A DOWNWIND LANDING.
Aug 07, 1990 ELMENDORF, TX N1466V Minor destroyed INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY BOTH PILOTS IN THE T-38 AND BY THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI) IN THE CESSNA 172.
Aug 04, 1990 TRINITY CENTER, CA N4205L Incident substantial THE PILOT'S EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED AND HIS FAILURE TO TOUCHDOWN AT THE PROPER LOCATION ON THE RUNWAY.
Aug 04, 1990 GREENSBORO, AL N4386Q Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER AIRSPEED AND ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT DURING THE EMERGENCY LANDING.
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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