Cessna 172L Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 162 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 29, 2023 | Cleveland, TX | N621EW | Minor | substantial |
The pilot’s decision to attempt the night flight under visual flight rules when instrument meteorological conditions prevailed resulting in the airpla…The pilot’s decision to attempt the night flight under visual flight rules when instrument meteorological conditions prevailed resulting in the airplane striking trees while on final approach. Contributing to the accident were the unserviceable runway lights at the destination airport. |
| Sep 16, 2022 | Ventura, CA | N7917G | Minor | substantial | A partial loss of engine power due to the fatigue fracture of the No. 4 exhaust valve. |
| May 28, 2022 | Canyon Lake, TX | N3842Q | Minor | substantial |
The pilot’s failure to retract the flaps during a go-around, which resulted in decreased climb performance and a subsequent collision with trees and t…The pilot’s failure to retract the flaps during a go-around, which resulted in decreased climb performance and a subsequent collision with trees and terrain. |
| Aug 30, 2013 | McComb, MS | N7892G | Minor | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during approach to landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent loss of control. |
| Oct 10, 2007 | Prescott, AZ | N9897G | Minor | substantial | The failure of maintenance personnel to detect fatigue cracks in the number 3 exhaust rocker arm, which lead to a partial loss of engine power. |
| Jul 01, 2006 | Burnett, TX | N7943G | Minor | substantial | The flight instructor's delayed remedial action during a simulated emergency landing, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. |
| Jun 07, 2005 | Santa Ynez, CA | N7668G | Minor | substantial | the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a go-around in gusty wind conditions, which resulted in a stall and collision with terrain. |
| Mar 14, 2004 | Turner, ME | N7872G | Minor | substantial | The pilot's misjudgment of speed/distance and the delayed aborted landing. A factor in this accident was the tail wind condition. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 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. |
| 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 06, 1994 | MT. STERLING, KY | N19679 | Minor | substantial |
INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE WHICH RESULTED IN THE DISCONNECTION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE FROM THE CARBURETOR AND THE SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. FACTORS…INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE WHICH RESULTED IN THE DISCONNECTION OF THE THROTTLE CABLE FROM THE CARBURETOR AND THE SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. FACTORS WERE THE ANNUAL INSPECTION NOT PERFORMED, AND COMPLACENCY. |
| Mar 03, 1992 | STARR, SC | N2862Q | Minor | substantial | THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PRE-FLIGHT PLANNING. |
| Jul 30, 1988 | NO. KINGSTOWN, RI | N19699 | Minor | substantial | THE FAILURE OF THE BOSTON CENTER CONTROLLER TO ADEQUATELY UNDERSTAND THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S REQUEST AND TO ASSESS THE GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION. |
| Feb 23, 1986 | GORDONSVILLE, VA | N7191Q | Minor | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Nov 17, 1985 | COLDWATER, OH | N9896G | Minor | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Aug 18, 1985 | PARISHVILLE, NY | N7549G | Minor | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Jul 04, 1985 | LORDSBURG, NM | N4349Q | Minor | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Jun 24, 1984 | LEWISBURG, OH | N4357Q | Minor | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Apr 15, 1984 | MAYVILLE, NY | N3977Q | Minor | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Oct 15, 1983 | WILKES-BARRE, PA | N7759G | Minor | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Jul 14, 1983 | MOOSE RIVER, ME | N3821Q | Minor | destroyed | Investigation pending |