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 |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Jun 27, 2009 | Shepherdsville, KY | N172TJ | Incident | substantial | The mechanic's improper inspection of the mixture control cable. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Mar 04, 1999 | HOMER, LA | N2645U | Incident | substantial |
The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, as a result of fuel moving away from the fuel supply outlets. Factors were the low fuel level and the…The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, as a result of fuel moving away from the fuel supply outlets. Factors were the low fuel level and the turbulence. |
| Sep 29, 1998 | RONAN, MT | N2479Y | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to attain adequate airspeed during liftoff from a soft field takeoff. Factors include high density alttiude. |
| Sep 20, 1998 | LOUISVILLE, KY | N2482U | Incident | substantial |
The student pilot's failure to perform a preflight inspection of the airplane before his first solo flight, and inadequate supervision by the certifie…The student pilot's failure to perform a preflight inspection of the airplane before his first solo flight, and inadequate supervision by the certified flight instructor, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. |
| May 30, 1998 | BEVERLY, MA | N2507Y | Incident | substantial | failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane during the landing and attempted go-around. A related factor was the crosswind. |
| Feb 25, 1998 | EL PASO, TX | N2526U | Incident | substantial | The pilots improper compensation for the wind conditions and his failure to maintain control of the aircraft. A factor was the high wind condition. |
| Mar 09, 1996 | MACON, GA | N2681U | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of suitable terrain for th…The pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. |
| Jan 28, 1996 | RINEYVILLE, KY | N2315U | Incident | substantial | the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. |
| Oct 22, 1995 | PRYOR, OK | N2848U | Incident | substantial | THE HIGH WIND AND THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGMENT IN ATTEMPTING THE FLIGHT. |
| Sep 07, 1995 | PRIM, AR | N2519U | Incident | substantial |
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO INITIATE A FLARE DUE TO THE FRACTURE OF THE YOKE ASSEMBLY, AN…THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO INITIATE A FLARE DUE TO THE FRACTURE OF THE YOKE ASSEMBLY, AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING. |