Cessna 172D Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 79 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 19, 2025 | Post, TX | N2536U | Incident | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Jun 16, 2018 | Quinton, VA | N2777U | Serious (1) | substantial | A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. |
| Dec 07, 2017 | Auburn, WA | N2351U | Incident | substantial | The pilot's loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. |
| Jul 03, 2015 | Shenandoah, TX | N2320U | Minor | substantial | The pilot's delayed application of carburetor heat, which resulted in the total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing during cruise flight. |
| Jan 04, 2015 | Fresno, CA | N2948U | Incident | substantial | The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. |
| Mar 08, 2014 | Fairhope, AL | N2755U | Serious (1) | destroyed |
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate separation from a helicopter during the approach to landing, which resulted in an encounter with the helicopt…The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate separation from a helicopter during the approach to landing, which resulted in an encounter with the helicopter’s trailing vortices, a loss of airplane control, and impact with terrain. |
| Oct 20, 2012 | Indian Trail, NC | N2879U | Incident | substantial |
The pilot’s improper use of flaps for takeoff, which resulted in the airplane’s failure to attain adequate climb airspeed and subsequent collision wil…The pilot’s improper use of flaps for takeoff, which resulted in the airplane’s failure to attain adequate climb airspeed and subsequent collision will trees during takeoff. |
| Oct 08, 2012 | Buckland, AK | N8808 | Incident | substantial | The pilot's loss of airplane control during takeoff from an off-airport site, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain. |
| Apr 28, 2012 | Beckwourth, CA | N2559U | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient airspeed during initial climb, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. |
| Dec 04, 2011 | Belhaven, NC | N2344U | Incident | substantial |
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have pr…A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. |
| Oct 03, 2010 | Durango, CO | N2593 | Minor | substantial |
A total loss of engine power due to the pilot inadvertently moving the fuel selector to the OFF position. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's…A total loss of engine power due to the pilot inadvertently moving the fuel selector to the OFF position. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's unfamiliarity with this model accident airplane. |
| Sep 18, 2010 | Palm Beach, FL | N2483Y | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat which led to a loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. |
| Apr 02, 2010 | Hillsboro, OH | N2190Y | Fatal (1) | destroyed | Impact with the runway pavement for unknown reasons. |
| Jun 27, 2009 | Shepherdsville, KY | N172TJ | Incident | substantial | The mechanic's improper inspection of the mixture control cable. |
| Feb 09, 2009 | Bow, WA | N2404Y | Minor | substantial |
A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and failure to verify the fuel quantity…A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and failure to verify the fuel quantity on board. |
| Jun 10, 2007 | Halls Crossing, UT | N2579U | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to select suitable terrain for landing. A contributing factor was the rough/uneven terrain. |
| Jan 23, 2007 | Beaver Marsh, OR | N2599U | Incident | substantial | The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. |
| May 02, 2006 | Lumberton, NJ | N2549Y | Incident | substantial | The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing, which resulted in an runway overrun and subsequent impact with terrain. |
| Sep 19, 2004 | Mountain Home, ID | N2650U | Fatal (1) | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from high terrain while maneuvering. High terrain was a factor. |
| Jul 24, 2004 | Morton, WA | N2527Y | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's misjudgment of altitude on final approach which resulted in an improper touchdown point and subsequent runway overrun. A factor was sungl…The pilot's misjudgment of altitude on final approach which resulted in an improper touchdown point and subsequent runway overrun. A factor was sunglare. |
| Apr 27, 2003 | South Ponotoc, MS | N2371U | Incident | substantial |
the pilot's failure to maintain altitude and aircraft control during a low pass over a grass runway, which resulted in the airplane impacting the grou…the pilot's failure to maintain altitude and aircraft control during a low pass over a grass runway, which resulted in the airplane impacting the ground. |
| Nov 02, 2001 | Argyle, NY | N36SK | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering. |
| Sep 04, 1999 | SOUTH WAYNE, WI | N2972U | Serious (1) | substantial |
the pilot's improper selection of an emergency field and failure to maintain clearance from the trees. The cause of the loss of engine power was not …the pilot's improper selection of an emergency field and failure to maintain clearance from the trees. The cause of the loss of engine power was not determined. |
| Jun 12, 1999 | JONESBORO, AR | N2460Y | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation, and her delayed aborted takeoff. Factors were the high density altitude and the tall grass…The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation, and her delayed aborted takeoff. Factors were the high density altitude and the tall grass on the airstrip. |
| Apr 10, 1999 | GLENNS FERRY, ID | N2650U | Incident | substantial |
The failure of both pilots to see-and-avoid wires crossing the river. Factors included: transmission wires; inattention of both pilots to the aircra…The failure of both pilots to see-and-avoid wires crossing the river. Factors included: transmission wires; inattention of both pilots to the aircraft's flight path; and the pilots' low-altitude flight. |