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
Mar 04, 2021 Sisters, OR N4456L Serious (1) substantial A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and the pilot’s mismanagement of the available fuel.
Aug 08, 2015 Hartington, NE N5800R Serious (2) substantial
The pilot’s decision to use an excessive, unapproved flap setting for takeoff, which significantly increased the induced drag and resulted in an aerod…

The pilot’s decision to use an excessive, unapproved flap setting for takeoff, which significantly increased the induced drag and resulted in an aerodynamic stall when the airplane flew out of ground effect.

Mar 27, 2010 Anacortes, WA N5880R Serious (1) The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
May 20, 2003 Ocean City, NJ N3985L Serious (1) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted landing. A factor was a crosswind.
Oct 14, 2000 STEUBENVILLE, OH N4352L Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing with a crosswind. Factors in the accident were the pilot's lack of familiarity in t…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing with a crosswind. Factors in the accident were the pilot's lack of familiarity in the make and model airplane, and the crosswind conditions.

Jul 08, 2000 NORTH ELBA, NY N4198L Serious (2) substantial the pilot's inaccurate fuel consumption calculations and exhaustion of his fuel supply.
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.

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.
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.

Jul 08, 1993 LONGVIEW, TX N3631L Serious (1) minor THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROCEDURES.
Nov 15, 1992 WILLIAMS, AZ N6060R Serious (2) substantial
THE PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A STUCK EXHAUST VALVE ON THE NUMBER TWO CYLINDER AND THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO CLIMB THE AIRCRAFT ABOVE THE TRE…

THE PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A STUCK EXHAUST VALVE ON THE NUMBER TWO CYLINDER AND THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO CLIMB THE AIRCRAFT ABOVE THE TREES SURROUNDING THE AIRPORT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE EFFECTS OF THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE ON THE AIRCRAFT CLIMB PERFORMANCE.

Apr 10, 1991 GRIFFITH, IN N1375F Serious (1) substantial CONTAMINATED FUEL IN THE CARBURETOR, AND INADEQUATE INSPECTION/MAINTENANCE OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.
Dec 12, 1990 JACKSONVILLE, FL N5780R Serious (2) destroyed FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL AFTER INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Dec 09, 1989 UXBRIDGE, MA N4289L Serious (2) destroyed
ICE IN THE FUEL STRAINER, WHICH RESTRICTED FUEL FLOW & RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION, AND THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE AIRPLANE, WHEN HE ABRUPTLY…

ICE IN THE FUEL STRAINER, WHICH RESTRICTED FUEL FLOW & RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION, AND THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE AIRPLANE, WHEN HE ABRUPTLY MANEUVERED IT TO AVOID A TRANSMISSION WIRE DURING A FORCED LANDING.

Jun 09, 1988 FREDERICK, OK N1103F Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Jun 22, 1983 HUNTINGTON BCH, CA N4655L Serious (2) destroyed Investigation pending
May 17, 1982 WORTHVILLE, NC N5884R Serious (2) destroyed Investigation pending
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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