Cessna 172F Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 133 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 18, 2002 | Lynxville, WI | N5527R | Incident | substantial |
The pilots delayed use of carburetor heat during carburetor icing conditions, and the unsuitable terrain encountered for the forced landing. The carb…The pilots delayed use of carburetor heat during carburetor icing conditions, and the unsuitable terrain encountered for the forced landing. The carburetor icing conditions, the powerline, the brush, and the nose gear collapse were contributing factors. |
| May 06, 2001 | FORT PIERCE, FL | N8664U | Incident | substantial | a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion which resulted in a forced landing, and subsequent impact with a sign and a ditch. |
| Mar 06, 2001 | Clovis, NM | N5175F | Incident | substantial | the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during take off roll resulting in a ground loop. A contributing factor was the crosswind. |
| Feb 26, 2001 | Larkspur, CO | N8389U | Incident | substantial |
the flight instructor inadvertently stalling the airplane during a forced landing. Contributing factors were fuel exhaustion due to inadvertent openin…the flight instructor inadvertently stalling the airplane during a forced landing. Contributing factors were fuel exhaustion due to inadvertent opening of the fuel drain, lack of familiarity with the airplane, inadequate supervision of the flight, and the missing strainer spring. |
| Jan 07, 2001 | San Luis Obispo, CA | N383CA | Fatal (2) | destroyed | The pilot's failure to maintain a proper climb rate to VFR conditions on-top. |
| Nov 29, 1998 | COLEMAN, WI | N72RE | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the trees and his intentional flight into IMC conditions. Factors contributing to this accident were the p…pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the trees and his intentional flight into IMC conditions. Factors contributing to this accident were the pilot's lack of instrument certification, his becoming lost in the poor weather, his inadequate preparation for flight by failing to obtain adequate weather information, his improper decision to attempt a visual approach in instrument conditions, and the trees. |
| Sep 21, 1998 | LONG BEACH, CA | N8761U | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's misjudging the flare point and failure to maintain an adequate airspeed margin, which resulted in a stall/mush and hard landing. A contri…The pilot's misjudging the flare point and failure to maintain an adequate airspeed margin, which resulted in a stall/mush and hard landing. A contributing factor was the dark night conditions. |
| Aug 30, 1998 | SPRING HILL, FL | N7832U | Incident | substantial | The pilot's misjudgment of distance and his delay in initiating a go around. Contributing was the pilot's improper landing flare. |
| Aug 02, 1998 | TUSKEGEE, AL | N7884U | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to attain adequate airspeed, and his failure to abort the takeoff. |
| Jul 18, 1998 | GRAND TURK, UK | N5682R | Serious | — | Investigation pending |
| Mar 31, 1998 | FORT COLLINS, CO | N7894U | Incident | substantial | the pilot's improper in flight planning/decision in electing to land with a known 30 knot tailwind. Factors were high winds and a tailwind. |
| Dec 18, 1997 | GONZALES, LA | N8426U | Serious (2) | substantial |
The inadvertent stall resulting from the flight instructor's failure to maintain airspeed during his delayed recovery from the bounced landing. Factor…The inadvertent stall resulting from the flight instructor's failure to maintain airspeed during his delayed recovery from the bounced landing. Factors were the student's failure to maintain the proper airspeed and the instructor's inadequate supervision during the landing. |
| Oct 29, 1997 | HURLEY, NM | N8714U | Incident | substantial |
the student pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the wind conditions. Factors included the gusty crosswind conditions and inadequate supervis…the student pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the wind conditions. Factors included the gusty crosswind conditions and inadequate supervision of the student pilot's solo flight by his flight instructor. |
| Feb 14, 1997 | SAN PABLO BAY, CA | N3757F | Minor | substantial | total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat. |
| Jan 25, 1997 | CONRAD, PA | N8835U | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and spatial disorientation of the pilot, which led to loss of aircraft contro…VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and spatial disorientation of the pilot, which led to loss of aircraft control, an uncontrolled descent, and subsequent collision with wooded terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, adverse weather conditions, the pilot's lack of instrument experience, and the wooded, mountainous/hilly terrain. |
| Oct 22, 1996 | VENICE, FL | N5130F | Minor | substantial |
inadequate maintenance servicing of the airplane during an oil change by the owner/pilot for his failure to secure the oil temperature probe securing …inadequate maintenance servicing of the airplane during an oil change by the owner/pilot for his failure to secure the oil temperature probe securing nut. Also, inadequate maintenance of the airplane by the owner/pilot for his failure to operate the engine with the engine cowling removed following the oil change to check for oil leaks. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain encountered during the forced landing. |
| Sep 22, 1996 | SAINT CLAIR, MN | N5373R | Fatal (1) | destroyed | a loss of power due to the engine's #2 cylinder exhaust valve stuck open, and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed. |
| Sep 19, 1996 | EHRENBERG, AZ | N5536T | Incident | substantial | The pilot's attempt to perform a low altitude evasive maneuver with inadequate airspeed resulting in a stall/mush. |
| Aug 26, 1996 | OCOTILLO, CA | N5543R | Incident | substantial | the pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment. The sun glare and proximity of rocks were related factors. |
| Jun 01, 1996 | BLAIRSTOWN, NJ | N8869U | Incident | substantial | the pilot's failure to maintain directional control due to improper compensation for wind conditions. |
| Oct 11, 1995 | DANBURY, WI | N8740U | Incident | substantial |
the partial failure of the left magneto, the road sign, and the road embankment. A factor relating to this accident is the brush which obscured the r…the partial failure of the left magneto, the road sign, and the road embankment. A factor relating to this accident is the brush which obscured the road sign. |
| Aug 15, 1995 | BRADLEY, CA | N5563R | Incident | substantial |
fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to refuel prior to takeoff and his delayed decision to proceed to his alternate airport. The night light c…fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to refuel prior to takeoff and his delayed decision to proceed to his alternate airport. The night light conditions and the lack of a suitable emergency landing area were factors. |
| Jul 31, 1995 | OSHKOSH, WI | N5542R | Incident | minor | the failure of the pilot of the Acro II, N40LF, to maintain clearance from the Cessna 172, N5542R. |
| Jul 22, 1995 | WYANDOTTE, IN | N8599U | Minor | substantial |
the number three intake valve became stuck (seized), which resulted in a loss of engine power. The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was …the number three intake valve became stuck (seized), which resulted in a loss of engine power. The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a related factor. |
| Jun 27, 1995 | HOMEDALE, ID | N4298C | Incident | substantial | THE PILOT MISJUDGED DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE DURING THE APPROACH. THE DOWNDRAFT WAS A FACTOR. |