Cessna 172L Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 162 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 26, 2003 | Vacaville, CA | N7668G | Fatal (1) | — | the pilot's inadequate hand prop starting procedure. |
| Sep 06, 2003 | New Braunfels, TX | N7632G | Fatal (2) | destroyed | The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed sufficient for flight resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin during takeoff. |
| Aug 14, 2003 | Harvard, IL | N7054Q | Incident | substantial | The pilot's improper flare which led to a hard landing. |
| Jun 22, 2003 | San Antonio, TX | N912KD | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot misjudged his altitude and airspeed, and his failure to perform a go-around. |
| Jun 07, 2003 | Newburyport, MA | N7149Q | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point. |
| Mar 07, 2003 | Rosamond, CA | N19770 | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during the takeoff initial climb, which resulted in a stall and impact with flat level terrain. …the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during the takeoff initial climb, which resulted in a stall and impact with flat level terrain. Also causal was the pilot's impaired judgment due to recent use of cocaine, and ethanol. |
| Oct 11, 2002 | San Antonio, TX | N7616G | Incident | substantial | The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind resulting in a loss of directional control. A contributing factor was the prevailing crosswind. |
| Oct 05, 2002 | Fish Lake, MN | N713SX | Incident | substantial | The altitude/clearance not maintained while maneuvering on short final for landing on the lake. The glassy water was a contributing factor. |
| Jun 02, 2002 | Dalhart, TX | N4261Q | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Contributing factors were the shifting gusty winds and the ditch. |
| Mar 07, 2002 | BULLHEAD CITY, AZ | N7774G | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to comply with maintenance/inspection requirements that resulted in a propeller failure. |
| Dec 09, 2001 | Reedsburg, WI | N4303Q | Incident | substantial |
The pilot inadvertently released the seat adjustment mechanism which resulted in the seat sliding back during takeoff, and his subsequent failure to m…The pilot inadvertently released the seat adjustment mechanism which resulted in the seat sliding back during takeoff, and his subsequent failure to maintain control of the airplane. A factor associated with the accident was the runway light control box, which the airplane contacted. |
| Oct 17, 2001 | Northampton, MA | N811P | Incident | substantial | The pilots' failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in a loss of control and a hard landing. |
| Sep 16, 2001 | Tucson, AZ | N4312Q | Fatal (1) | destroyed | the pilot's controlled descent into a residence for undetermined reasons. |
| Aug 13, 2001 | Brockport, NY | N7878G | Serious (2) | substantial |
The pilot's delayed go-around during the landing attempt. Factors included the dark night conditions and the pilot's inadequate preflight decision to…The pilot's delayed go-around during the landing attempt. Factors included the dark night conditions and the pilot's inadequate preflight decision to fly to an airport with inoperative surface lighting. |
| Aug 04, 2001 | Parkersburg, WV | N7821G | Serious (1) | substantial | The student pilot's failure to obtain a proper rate of climb, resulting in a collision with trees. |
| Jun 04, 2001 | Picayune, MS | N18PF | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's inflight fuel planning /decision that resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power. A factor was the failure of the fuel transfe…The pilot's inflight fuel planning /decision that resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power. A factor was the failure of the fuel transfer pump. |
| Mar 03, 2001 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | N3802Q | Incident | substantial |
The total failure of the yoke weld assembly due to corrosion resulting in the inability of the flight crew to maintain elevator control of the airplan…The total failure of the yoke weld assembly due to corrosion resulting in the inability of the flight crew to maintain elevator control of the airplane. Additionally, inadequate annual inspection of the airplane by other maintenance personnel for failure to identfiy extensive corrosion of the yoke. Findings in the investigation were: 1) The airplane was partially submerged in salt water as a result of hurricane Floyd in September 1999, 2) The Advisory Circulars do not identify inspection procedures what to do in case an airplane is sumberged or partially submerged in salt water, and 3) The airplane manufacturer does not have inspection procedures when an airplane is submerged or partially submerged in salt water. |
| Jan 21, 2001 | Culver, IN | N4378Q | Incident | substantial | the proper glide path not attained by both pilots during a short field landing. The snow bank was a contributing factor. |
| Nov 13, 2000 | WINCHESTER, VA | N2843Q | Minor | substantial |
The pilot's failure to obtain a pre-departure or en route weather briefing, which led to fuel exhaustion, after his destination and alternate airports…The pilot's failure to obtain a pre-departure or en route weather briefing, which led to fuel exhaustion, after his destination and alternate airports were covered by fog. A factor was the fog. |
| Sep 16, 2000 | EVERETT, WA | N7195Q | Incident | substantial |
The other pilot's improper use (inadvertent release) of the brakes. Contributing factors were, a standing aircraft and the other pilot's diverting hi…The other pilot's improper use (inadvertent release) of the brakes. Contributing factors were, a standing aircraft and the other pilot's diverting his attention from outside his aircraft. |
| Sep 11, 2000 | NOVATO, CA | N84828 | Minor | substantial | Failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing rollout resulting in a collision with a berm. |
| Aug 29, 2000 | WINDSOR, NH | N7664G | Minor | substantial |
the pilot's improper preflight planning to make a takeoff toward obstacles, and his delayed decision to abort the takeoff, which resulted in an overru…the pilot's improper preflight planning to make a takeoff toward obstacles, and his delayed decision to abort the takeoff, which resulted in an overrun into unsuitable terrain. |
| Aug 28, 2000 | MILL CREEK, PA | N4344Q | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
The pilot's improper pre-flight planning, and in-flight planning decision to continue visual fight into deteriorating adverse weather conditions. Fac…The pilot's improper pre-flight planning, and in-flight planning decision to continue visual fight into deteriorating adverse weather conditions. Factors were the night conditions, low clouds and fog. |
| Jul 10, 2000 | BEAUFORT, NC | N3875Q | Incident | substantial |
A loss of engine power due to failure of the No. 4 cylinder connecting rod during the first flight following engine overhaul for undetermined reasons.…A loss of engine power due to failure of the No. 4 cylinder connecting rod during the first flight following engine overhaul for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was unsuitable terrain. |
| Mar 10, 2000 | BEAUFORT, NC | N3875Q | Incident | substantial |
The failure of the pilot to initiate a go-around after the airplane began to porpoise, resulting in a hard landing and structural damage to the airpla…The failure of the pilot to initiate a go-around after the airplane began to porpoise, resulting in a hard landing and structural damage to the airplane. |