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 28, 1999 | NEW ORLEANS, LA | N172GT | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's inadvertent starting of the engine. Factors were the pilot's failure to set the mixture control to the off position, and the intermittent…The pilot's inadvertent starting of the engine. Factors were the pilot's failure to set the mixture control to the off position, and the intermittent short in the starter switch. |
| Dec 08, 1999 | WOOSTER, OH | N7565G | Incident | substantial | The pilot's inadvertent taxi onto unsuitable terrain. A factor was the burnt out landing/taxi light. |
| Jul 14, 1999 | MONTEZUMA, IA | N19752 | Incident | substantial |
the pilot inadvertently landed on the wrong runway and exceeded the proper touchdown point on the runway. Factors associated with the accident were t…the pilot inadvertently landed on the wrong runway and exceeded the proper touchdown point on the runway. Factors associated with the accident were the gusty tailwind, the fence, and the ditch. |
| Jun 16, 1999 | MILLINOCKET, ME | N7897G | Incident | substantial | The total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. |
| May 25, 1999 | GUNNISON, CO | N172KB | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's inadvertent stall/mush immediately after takeoff. Factors were the high density altitude weather condition, and the pilot's total lack of…The pilot's inadvertent stall/mush immediately after takeoff. Factors were the high density altitude weather condition, and the pilot's total lack of experience in type of operation. |
| Jan 26, 1999 | SANTA PAULA, CA | N7639G | Incident | substantial |
The instructor pilot's misjudged altitude and speed, which resulted in a failure to attain the proper touchdown point causing an overrun and collision…The instructor pilot's misjudged altitude and speed, which resulted in a failure to attain the proper touchdown point causing an overrun and collision with a block wall. A factor was the wet runway, which may have hindered brake effectiveness. |
| Sep 30, 1998 | PUYALLUP, WA | N2880Q | Incident | substantial |
The pilot-in-command's failure to refuel en-route resulting in fuel exhaustion. Contributing factors were a vehicle (in the landing path) and dark nig…The pilot-in-command's failure to refuel en-route resulting in fuel exhaustion. Contributing factors were a vehicle (in the landing path) and dark night conditions. |
| Sep 06, 1998 | BAKERSFIELD, CA | N19770 | Incident | substantial | The pilot's misjudged landing flare that led to an improper bounced landing recovery and subsequent uncontrolled porpoise. |
| Aug 26, 1998 | ANACORTES, WA | N1069M | Fatal (1) | substantial | Terrain clearance was not maintained. A low ceiling and the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision were factors. |
| Jul 13, 1998 | LINCOLN PARK, NJ | N19667 | Incident | substantial |
Inadequate visual lookout by the pilot, which resulted in his failure to see and avoid the fuel truck. Related factors were the truck and the pilot w…Inadequate visual lookout by the pilot, which resulted in his failure to see and avoid the fuel truck. Related factors were the truck and the pilot was unfamiliar with that area. |
| Jul 13, 1998 | LAPWAI, ID | N2885Q | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning or preparation from unsuitable terrain. Factors include an embedded railroad tie in the takeoff path, and h…The pilot's inadequate preflight planning or preparation from unsuitable terrain. Factors include an embedded railroad tie in the takeoff path, and high vegetation.. |
| Jun 23, 1998 | MACCLENNY, FL | N3853Q | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
The student pilot's attempted VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in a subsequent in-flight collision with trees and terra…The student pilot's attempted VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in a subsequent in-flight collision with trees and terrain. Contributing factors were, haze/smoke, the student pilot's failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing, the student pilot's lack of total experience in type operation, and trees. |
| Aug 09, 1997 | TOWNSEND, MT | N7925G | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed. |
| Apr 03, 1997 | MANZANITA, OR | CGICR | Serious (1) | substantial |
The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the go-around…The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the go-around attempt. Factors contributing to the accident are gusty crosswinds. |
| Oct 30, 1996 | BRANDY STATION, VA | N7737G | Fatal (2) | destroyed |
the certificated flight instructor's failure to ensure that proper altitude/clearance was maintained above the terrain and trees, while on final appro…the certificated flight instructor's failure to ensure that proper altitude/clearance was maintained above the terrain and trees, while on final approach. Darkness was a related factor. |
| Sep 29, 1996 | DELAVAN, WI | N7216Q | Incident | substantial | the pilot's failure to assure the airplane was properly secured prior to hand-propping the engine. |
| Jul 11, 1996 | VICKSBURG, MI | N7545G | Incident | substantial | the pilot's premature raising of the flaps during a go-around. The presence of birds was a factor. |
| Jul 01, 1996 | JOHNSTOWN, CO | N19682 | Incident | substantial | failure of the pilot to maintain proper altitude/clearance from obstructions, while buzzing. |
| Jun 08, 1996 | SISTERS, OR | N7849G | Incident | substantial |
the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during a go-around, which resulted in his failure to maintain proper runway alignment. Factor…the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during a go-around, which resulted in his failure to maintain proper runway alignment. Factors relating to the accident were: the variable/gusty crosswind condition, and the proximity of the hanger and fence to the runway. |
| Apr 27, 1996 | CULPEPER, VA | N7546G | Incident | substantial | The pilot's improper compensation for the crosswind. |
| Jul 13, 1995 | PORTER, TX | N3967Q | Incident | substantial | THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, AND THE PILOT'S MISJUDGMENT OF DISTANCE AND SPEED RESULTING IN OVERSHOOTING THE LANDING. |
| Jul 02, 1995 | STANLEY, ID | N4319Q | Incident | substantial |
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE ALL AVAILABLE RUNWAY, HIS IMPROPER USE OF FLAPS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDE…THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE ALL AVAILABLE RUNWAY, HIS IMPROPER USE OF FLAPS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT IS HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE. |
| Apr 17, 1995 | WHEATLAND, WY | N7011Q | Minor | substantial | THE PILOT'S CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE AIRFRAME ICING ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FLIGHT. |
| Mar 10, 1995 | SMYRNA, TN | N4383Q | Serious (1) | — |
THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S FAILURE TO ENSURE THAT THE MAGNETOS WERE NOT ENERGIZED PRIOR TO POSITIONING THE PROPELLER, AND THE DUAL STUDENT'S FAILURE TO P…THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S FAILURE TO ENSURE THAT THE MAGNETOS WERE NOT ENERGIZED PRIOR TO POSITIONING THE PROPELLER, AND THE DUAL STUDENT'S FAILURE TO PLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH IN THE OFF POSITION AFTER THE FIRST START ATTEMPT. |
| Feb 24, 1995 | SARATOGA SPGS, NY | N7002Q | Incident | substantial | THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGMENT IN ATTEMPTING A FLIGHT UNDER THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS. |