Cessna 172G Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 141 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

141

All Events

79

Incidents

27

Minor

17

Serious

18

Fatal (37 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Sep 01, 1998 LEESBURG, FL N5797R Minor substantial
The pilot's decision to leave the engine running with no one at the controls as he exited the aircraft to check for wheel chocks in place. This result…

The pilot's decision to leave the engine running with no one at the controls as he exited the aircraft to check for wheel chocks in place. This resulted in the aircraft moving uncontrolled and eventually colliding with a fence.

Aug 15, 1998 WILLIAMSON, NY N1308F Incident substantial Directional control not maintained by one of the pilot's on board the airplane.
Jul 18, 1998 DOVER, DE N5907R Minor substantial The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point.
Nov 28, 1997 HAZEL GREEN, AL N3908L Serious (1) substantial
the pilot's miscalculating the aircraft's fuel consumption for the flight, resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor was t…

the pilot's miscalculating the aircraft's fuel consumption for the flight, resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Nov 17, 1997 VAN, TX N202EX Minor substantial
fuel starvation, resulting from restricted carburetor float travel, due to improper maintenance installation. The encounter with a power line was rel…

fuel starvation, resulting from restricted carburetor float travel, due to improper maintenance installation. The encounter with a power line was related factor.

Nov 02, 1997 ELK CITY, OK N5745R Incident substantial The high winds and the pilot's poor judgment in attempting to taxi in the existing wind conditions.
Oct 17, 1997 PANACEA, FL N4690L Incident substantial
The pilot's improper use of carburetor heat resulting in loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and an in flight collision with trees during a f…

The pilot's improper use of carburetor heat resulting in loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and an in flight collision with trees during a forced landing.

Sep 22, 1997 CHICAGO, IL N4375L Minor substantial the pilot's selection of the wrong taxi route (service road) and not maintaining clearance between his airplane's wing and a bus.
Jul 04, 1997 POWDERLY, TX N3888L Serious (2) substantial The inadvertent stall due to the pilot's diverted attention to an open service door. A factor was the inadequate preflight inspection by the pilot.
Nov 27, 1996 CHINO, CA N5854R Incident destroyed
the pilot's attempt to taxi with a crosswind component well in excess of the aircraft's maximum factory demonstrated capability. The wind conditions …

the pilot's attempt to taxi with a crosswind component well in excess of the aircraft's maximum factory demonstrated capability. The wind conditions were factors.

Jul 25, 1996 KETTLE FALLS, WA N4478L Minor destroyed
the pilot's inadequate preflight planning. Factors relating to the accident were: high ambient temperatures; departing from a short, grass runway; an…

the pilot's inadequate preflight planning. Factors relating to the accident were: high ambient temperatures; departing from a short, grass runway; and tall trees off the departure end of the airstrip.

May 09, 1996 OKMULGEE, OK N202EX Minor substantial
THE PILOT'S CONTINUED OPERATION WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN THE AIRPLANE AND THE PILOT'S AND MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL'S FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH AN AIRWORTH…

THE PILOT'S CONTINUED OPERATION WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN THE AIRPLANE AND THE PILOT'S AND MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL'S FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE RESULTING IN THE MALFUNCTIONING OF A WORN IGNITION SWITCH. A FACTOR WAS TREES.

Feb 09, 1996 GUNNISON, CO N4262L Incident substantial Loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a related factor.
Nov 25, 1995 NORA SPRINGS, IA N6094R Minor substantial
the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, which resulted in loss of airspeed and a stall/mush as he was maneuvering to avoid obstructions…

the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, which resulted in loss of airspeed and a stall/mush as he was maneuvering to avoid obstructions off the end of the runway. Factors relating to the accident were: the unfavorable wind condition, high obstructions, and the airplane's excessive gross weight.

Oct 16, 1995 WILKES-BARRE, PA N3773L Incident substantial
the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. Contributing factors were the instructor's inexperience and the student pilot's failure to mai…

the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. Contributing factors were the instructor's inexperience and the student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control.

Aug 26, 1995 PUT-IN-BAY, OH N3680L Minor substantial
THE PILOT'S DELAY IN ABORTING THE LANDING AFTER SELECTING THE WRONG RUNWAY. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: GARBLED RADIO TRANSMISSIONS ON THE…

THE PILOT'S DELAY IN ABORTING THE LANDING AFTER SELECTING THE WRONG RUNWAY. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: GARBLED RADIO TRANSMISSIONS ON THE UNICOM FREQUENCY, AND THE RESULTANT TAILWIND FOR LANDING.

May 18, 1995 SANFORD, FL N3722L Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a forced landing resulting in an inadvertent stall and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain. Co…

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a forced landing resulting in an inadvertent stall and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was a total loss of engine power while descending due to fuel exhaustion, and the pilot's inaccurate fuel calculations for the flight.

Apr 25, 1995 AUGUSTA, ME N3799L Incident substantial THE STUDENT PILOT'S DELAY IN ABORTING THE LANDING ATTEMPT. THE CROSSWIND, AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE CROSSWIND WERE FACTORS.
Feb 09, 1995 POPE VALLEY, CA N4345L Fatal (1) destroyed the pilot's poor judgment to buzz the lake and his inadequate visual lookout.
Jan 10, 1995 SALT LAKE CITY, UT N3708L Incident substantial THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS DURING RUNUP. THE UNFAVORABLE WIND WAS A FACTOR.
Sep 11, 1994 CORONA, CA N4328L Minor substantial
THE PILOT'S POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION AND FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS. FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE ROUGH TERRAIN WERE FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT…

THE PILOT'S POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION AND FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS. FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE ROUGH TERRAIN WERE FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT.

Sep 05, 1994 PARADISE, WA N4628L Serious (1) destroyed
PROPER ALTITUDE WAS NOT MAINTAINED AND IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY TERRAIN CONDITIONS AND LAC…

PROPER ALTITUDE WAS NOT MAINTAINED AND IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY TERRAIN CONDITIONS AND LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

Sep 06, 1993 AVALON, CA N4143L Incident destroyed
the oil starvation related failure of the number 1 and 2 connecting rods due to improper torque of the crankcase through bolts at the number 2 cylinde…

the oil starvation related failure of the number 1 and 2 connecting rods due to improper torque of the crankcase through bolts at the number 2 cylinder, which allowed fretting of the bearing surfaces and the resulting closure of the oil ports. The under torque condition was due to improper installation procedures used by the aircraft owner, and, the inadequate inspection procedures utilized by the certifying repair station.

Jul 08, 1993 LONGVIEW, TX N3631L Serious (1) minor THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROCEDURES.
Jun 29, 1993 FORT WORTH, TX N3987L Incident substantial THE POWER LOSS FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. FACTORS WERE THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING AND THE INADVERTENT STALL.
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 172G For Sale All Cessna Models
Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data
View 15 Cessna 172G for sale ↓