Cessna 172S Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 410 events recorded from 1999 to 2025.

410

All Events

310

Incidents

35

Minor

16

Serious

45

Fatal (80 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Jul 19, 2005 Charlottesville, VA N3537B Incident substantial The student pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing.
Jul 02, 2005 Glen Saint Mary, FL N53269 Minor substantial
The separation of a plastic sleeve off the idle stop of the servo fuel injector for undetermined reasons resulting in decreased fuel flow and subseque…

The separation of a plastic sleeve off the idle stop of the servo fuel injector for undetermined reasons resulting in decreased fuel flow and subsequent total loss of engine power.

May 21, 2005 Brooklyn, NY N778LP Fatal (4) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent impact with terrain.
May 21, 2005 Port Huron, MI N860SA Incident substantial The pilot not performing a go-around and misjudging the flare leading to a hard landing.
May 02, 2005 Clearwater, FL N66113 Incident substantial The pilot's improper flare and recovery from a bounced landing.
Apr 12, 2005 Gallup, NM N520ER Incident substantial the pilot's premature liftoff and inadequate remedial action, which resulted in the airplane inadvertently recontacting the runway.
Mar 28, 2005 Palm Beach, FL N53589 Incident substantial
The flight crews inadvertent encounter with turbulence in clouds while being vectored by ATC while operating in instrument meteorological conditions. …

The flight crews inadvertent encounter with turbulence in clouds while being vectored by ATC while operating in instrument meteorological conditions. A factor in the accident was the ATC personnel's (ARTCC) inadequate weather avoidance assistance.

Mar 22, 2005 Thermal, CA N562AB Incident substantial the student pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control.
Feb 02, 2005 Coalinga, CA N521JD Incident substantial the pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, and his failure to abort the landing.
Jan 19, 2005 Casa Grande, AZ N2157H Fatal (1) the pilot's inadvertent encounter with a rotating propeller. Contributing factors were the dark night conditions and the pilot's fatigued condition.
Jan 04, 2005 Clewiston, FL N365SP Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout which resulted in the airplane veering off the runway and colliding into an…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout which resulted in the airplane veering off the runway and colliding into an airport sign.

Dec 28, 2004 Roswell, NM N849SP Fatal (1) destroyed
the pilot not maintaining control of the aircraft resulting in an uncontrolled descent and collision on a highway. Factors contributing to the accide…

the pilot not maintaining control of the aircraft resulting in an uncontrolled descent and collision on a highway. Factors contributing to the accident were the dark night and the pilot experiencing spatial disorientation.

Dec 17, 2004 Lakeland, FL N375LP Incident substantial
The faulure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the landing roll resulting in the on-ground collision with a taxiway s…

The faulure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the landing roll resulting in the on-ground collision with a taxiway sign and subsequent collapse of the nose landing gear.

Nov 21, 2004 Anderson, IN N967SA Incident substantial The student pilot's improper flare and his inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
Nov 19, 2004 Mansfield, MA N2120M Incident substantial The pilot's improper decision to taxi on a closed taxiway, and his misjudgment of obstacle clearance.
Nov 05, 2004 Chandler, AZ N20519 Incident substantial
the pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing factors were his improper recovery from the subsequent bounced landing and…

the pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing factors were his improper recovery from the subsequent bounced landing and pilot-induced oscillations.

Oct 20, 2004 West Columbia, SC N37CJ Incident substantial
The student pilot's improper landing flare, inadequate recovery from a bounced landing and failure to maintain directional control during rollout. A f…

The student pilot's improper landing flare, inadequate recovery from a bounced landing and failure to maintain directional control during rollout. A factor was the runway sign.

Sep 30, 2004 Broomfield, CO N802SP Incident substantial the pilot's improper flare, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the pilot.
Sep 06, 2004 Mount Gilead, OH N809SP Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions which resulted in a collision with the runway. A factor was the crosswind.
Sep 02, 2004 Willits, CA N897TW Minor destroyed
the pilot's inadvertent descent and controlled flight into obstacles while maneuvering to land. Contributing factors were the dark, nighttime conditi…

the pilot's inadvertent descent and controlled flight into obstacles while maneuvering to land. Contributing factors were the dark, nighttime condition, which impaired the pilot's visual perceptions, and the pilot's failure to obtain a pertinent Notice to Airman regarding inoperative runway lights.

Aug 29, 2004 Erie, CO N2099J Incident substantial
the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in a hard landing. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot induced oscillation…

the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in a hard landing. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot induced oscillation and the high approach airspeed.

Aug 28, 2004 Leakey, TX N2477E Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with terrain. A contributing factor was the high density altitude.
Aug 19, 2004 Carlsbad, NM N849SP Incident substantial the student pilot's inadequate flare resulting in a hard landing. A contributing factor was the tailwind conditions.
Aug 13, 2004 Honolulu, HI N3554Y Incident substantial
the student pilot's misjudged flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Also causal was the student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing a…

the student pilot's misjudged flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Also causal was the student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and pilot induced porpoise and failure to maintain directional control on the landing roll, which resulted in the nose gear collapsing.

Aug 12, 2004 Miami, FL N21063 Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain control while landing with a crosswind and gusting wind conditions, which resulted in the airplane veering off the run…

The pilot's failure to maintain control while landing with a crosswind and gusting wind conditions, which resulted in the airplane veering off the runway and incurring damage.

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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