NTSB investigations: Cessna 172N

60 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Cessna 172N, where the first occurrence was “In flight collision with terrain/water”. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.

Cases per year

19822026
NTSB investigations: Cessna 172N per year, 1982–2026: 60 cases
19826
19831
19841
19851
19863
19876
19893
19903
19914
19924
19936
19952
19963
19974
19982
19992
20001
20012
20033
20042
20051

Latest cases

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1
  WHERE c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('2072434')
      AND EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.case_mkey = x.case_mkey AND o.aircrafts_position = x.position AND o.\"occurrenceNumber\" = 1 AND o.\"occurrenceCode\" = 230))
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

NTSB SEA05LA145Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Bonners Ferry, IDThe pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering. Mountainous terrain was a factor.Jul 17, 2005 · N120ER · Substantial damageNTSB CHI04CA152Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172N · Hillsboro, NDDirectional control not obtained/maintained by the pilot during landing roll.Jun 10, 2004 · N737SV · Substantial damageNTSB CHI04CA067Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 172N · Cahokia, ILThe inadequate supervision by the certified flight instructor which lead to the student pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the snowbank during the landing. The snowbank was a factor.Feb 7, 2004 · N738EJ · Substantial damageNTSB LAX03LA294Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Pahrump, NVthe pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from the mountainous terrain while maneuvering, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain.Sep 21, 2003 · N6548D · Substantial damageNTSB ATL03LA098Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Hampton, GAThe certified flight instructor's failure to maintain clearance from the runway during a low pass. A factor was gusty wind conditions.May 29, 2003 · N140PF · Substantial damageNTSB LAX03FA100Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Ely, NVthe pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance while flying in a box canyon.Feb 23, 2003 · N9885J · Substantial damageNTSB CHI01LA202Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · West Chicago, ILThe instructor pilot's inadequate recovery from the bounced landing and inadequate supervision of the dual students alignment with the runway. A factor was the student pilot not maintaining proper alignment with the runway during landing.Jul 10, 2001 · N5285E · Substantial damageNTSB SEA01LA076Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 N · Sultan, WAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees and terrain during the airplane's initial climb.Apr 21, 2001 · N8402E · Substantial damageNTSB SEA00LA054Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Quincy, WAFailure to maintain terrain clearance. Factors include mountainous/hilly terrain.Mar 22, 2000 · N229CP · Substantial damageNTSB LAX99LA213Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Weaverville, CAthe pilot's failure to follow prescribed procedures and directives for the particular airport.Jun 10, 1999 · N5577E · Substantial damageNTSB NYC99LA131Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · West Milford, NJThe flight instructors failure to maintain climb airspeed during the go-around, which degraded climb performance, resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors in the accident were, delay in executing a go-around, retracting the flaps to 10…May 31, 1999 · N1223F · Substantial damageNTSB LAX98FA152Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Avalon, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance in a Blind/Box Canyon. A related factor was the mountainous/hilly terrain.May 7, 1998 · N6514E · DestroyedNTSB MIA98LA063Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Valdosta, GAThe failure of the student to recover (pull-up) from the intentional maneuver resulting in the in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the ostentatious display by the student.Jan 31, 1998 · N738YK · Substantial damageNTSB LAX98FA043Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · La Jolla, CAthe pilot's act of suicide by intentionally diving his aircraft into the ocean.Nov 24, 1997 · N6463D · DestroyedNTSB ATL97LA140Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Greenville, SCthe pilot's improper use of the elevator control and delayed liftoff during takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent porpoise, collision with the runway, and collapse of the nose gear as he aborted the takeoff.Sep 25, 1997 · N738SZ · Substantial damageNTSB LAX97FA286Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Cuyama, CAundetermined.Jun 22, 1997 · N6141D · DestroyedNTSB LAX97LA141Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Avalon, CAThe pilot's misjudging the airplane's altitude and distance to the runway and an excessive descent rate, which led to an undershoot, and the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during the approach. Contributing factors were the pilot's delay in…Apr 4, 1997 · N733CN · DestroyedNTSB NYC96LA184Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Shirley, NYthe pilot's prematurely retraction of flaps during the go-around, which resulted in settling (mushing) of the airplane and a collision with the ground.Sep 16, 1996 · N737GJ · Substantial damageNTSB IAD96LA120Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Stowe, VTfailure of the pilot to follow proper IFR procedures and to maintain proper terrain clearance (altitude) during an NDB approach. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's lack of instrument experience, low ceiling, and mountainous terrain.Jul 19, 1996 · N5091G · DestroyedNTSB LAX96FA115Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Julian, CAthe pilot's delay in requesting assistance to avoid high terrain. Factors were: the downdrafts, mountainous terrain, and the pilot's improper in-flight planning.Feb 20, 1996 · N738ED · DestroyedNTSB NYC96FA002Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Caton, NYThe pilot's improper IFR procedure by failing to maintain proper altitude, while on the initial approach for an ILS. A factor relating to the accident was: failure of the tower controller to issue a safety advisory.Oct 4, 1995 · N9461E · DestroyedNTSB LAX95FA217Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Vidal Junction, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain an altitude adequate to avoid the mountainous/hilly terrain. Contributing to the accident was the glare from the setting sun.Jun 19, 1995 · N739KJ · DestroyedNTSB LAX94LA032Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Joshua Tree, CAthe pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate on final approach. A factor in the accident was the student's limited total experience.Oct 30, 1993 · N8279E · Substantial damageNTSB LAX94FA007Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Sedona, AZthe pilot's decision to continue VFR at an improper altitude into mountainous terrain at night and the inadvertent encounter with clouds along the route. Self-induced pressure due to a low fuel state contributed to the accident.Oct 8, 1993 · N5365D · DestroyedNTSB SEA93LA167Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Monroe, WAThe improper inflight decision by the PIC and his failure to attain proper runway alignment. Factors relating to the accident were the dark night light conditions, unavailability of runway lights, and lack of recent night flight time by the PIC.Jul 29, 1993 · N734DL · Substantial damageNTSB LAX93LA225Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Page, AZthe pilot's selection of an inadequate cruise altitude. A factor in the accident was the high winds and turbulence in the vicinity of the cliffs.May 24, 1993 · N734DB · DestroyedNTSB FTW93FA096Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Katy, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane for undetermined reasonsMar 6, 1993 · N222UF · DestroyedNTSB LAX93LA102Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Sedona, AZThe pilots inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions and his delay in executing a go around. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of total experience.Jan 24, 1993 · N737EA · Substantial damageNTSB LAX93FA046Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Tehachapi, CAThe pilot's decision to cruise at an altitude inadequate to ensure terrain clearance. Factors which contributed to the accident were: the pilot's failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing, the dark night, and likely instrument meteorological conditions.Nov 20, 1992 · N737WZ · DestroyedNTSB LAX92LA382Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Fillmore, CAThe first pilot's poor inflight decision to fly into a box canyon. Contributing to this accident was the box canyon and the downdraft.Sep 12, 1992 · N2212W · Substantial damageNTSB LAX92LA380Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Stanfield, AZThe cfi's poor in-flight decision to demonstrate the simulated engine out emergency landing at too low an altitude and misjudging the altitude during the circling maneuver.Sep 10, 1992 · N734UT · Substantial damageNTSB LAX92FA164Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Claremont, CAThe pilots improper preflight and inflight planning/decisions, his continued VFR flight into IMC conditions, and his failure to initiate timely remedial actions.Apr 5, 1992 · N1333E · Substantial damageNTSB MIA92GA024Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 172N · Okeechobee, FLThe pilot-in-command's failure to maintain altitude during a low pass at night. Contributing factors were the pilot's likely spatial disorientation due to the lack of surface visual clues, the dark night conditions, and the patchy fog conditions.Nov 8, 1991 · N739WS · DestroyedNTSB NYC92LA001Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172 · Auburn, METhe pilot was buzzing and stalled the airplane at too low an altitude to recover.Oct 4, 1991 · N2065E · Substantial damageNTSB NYC91LA148Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Lincoln Park, NJThe decision of the pilot to discontinue a go-around, from an attempted landing, resulting in the airplane striking trees. A factor related to the accident was the lack of total flight experience of the student pilot.Jul 18, 1991 · N737WG · Substantial damageNTSB BFO91FA049Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Lebanon, NHThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance. Contributing was mountainous terrain, low clouds, and VFR flight into IMC.May 17, 1991 · N4650G · DestroyedNTSB SEA90LA199Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Neilton, WAThe failure of the crew to maintain adequate clearance from the terrain. Factors to the accident were mountainous and box canyon terrain.Sep 29, 1990 · N738AQ · DestroyedNTSB LAX90FA244Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Avalon, CAThe pilot's improper in-flight planning, decision, and his intentional low flying near mountainous terrain. Contributing factors related to the pilot's not maintaining/following proper VFR procedures, the related distraction of the open cabin door, and the…Jul 4, 1990 · N2810E · DestroyedNTSB BFO90FA032Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Bedford, VAThe pilot's decision to fly into known adverse weather conditions and his failure to maintain clearance above the terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's self induced pressure, low ceilings, mountainous terrain and rain.Mar 17, 1990 · N76026 · DestroyedNTSB SEA90FA027Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Nordland, WAUndetermined.Dec 21, 1989 · N2228E · DestroyedNTSB CHI90LA041Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N II · Middleton, WIThe pilot's improper use of flaps to provide lift on short final approach instead of applying power and the failure to maintain aircraft control.Dec 10, 1989 · N75912 · Substantial damageNTSB MKC89FA197Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Hyannis, NEFailure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude. Darkness and adverse weather conditions were related factors.Sep 21, 1989 · N733FY · Substantial damageNTSB BFO88FA002Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Lowmoor, VAThe acft was involved in powerline patrol over mountainous terrain at low altitude. The plt made a climbing right turn to avoid a ridge and went into a valley where he was boxed in by two ridges. He unsuccessfully tried to outclimb one of the ridges before he…Oct 9, 1987 · N3075E · DestroyedNTSB LAX87LA314Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Temple Bar, AZThe stall warning horn sounded during climbout following a touch-and-go landing. Rising terrain was reported beyond the end of the runway and the pilot was unable to continue to climb while maintaining a safe airspeed. The density altitude was approximately…Aug 25, 1987 · N733TA · DestroyedNTSB LAX87LA238Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Malibu, CADuring a local instructional flight, the pilot stated that they were flying along the coast aprx 1 mile offshore and 500 ft AGL. The student started a climbing right turn towards land. The student continued to apply back pressure to the point that the acft…Jun 18, 1987 · N738JV · Substantial damageNTSB ATL87LA127Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Union Grove, NCThe plt reported that he was attempting to make a soft-field ldg in a plowed field at a friend's farm. He had not landed there previously. After initial touchdown was made on the main ldg gear, the nosewheel dug into a rise in the terrain and the airplane…Apr 27, 1987 · N4678G · Substantial damageNTSB LAX87LA189Accident · 4 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Lihue, HIThe pilot filled the aircraft's fuel tanks, loaded three air tour passengers and proceeded up a canyon that climbed up to an elevation of about 3000 feet MSL on a sightseeing flight. A ground tour bus driver observed smoke emanating from the canyon and…Apr 24, 1987 · N739RV · DestroyedNTSB CHI87FA083Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Fergus Falls, MNFollowing a 1.5 hour personal flight at night, the aircraft crashed into the side of a low hill near the destination airport. Although the pilot had a total of 6 hours of night time, most of his solo night time was during this last flight. Hazy VFR conditions…Feb 12, 1987 · N734MV · DestroyedNTSB LAX87MA018Accident · 2 fatalMajor investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Altadena, CAWhile rtrng to santa monica (smo) fm a x-country, the plts diverted to van nuys when the rwy at smo was closed due to a disabled acft. After the rwy was reopened, they filed an IFR flt pln to cont at 5000' & tkof at ngt. Drg dep, the AR-3 ctlr provided radar…Oct 17, 1986 · N1048F · DestroyedNTSB DEN86LA187Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Richfield, UTPlt stated after the accident, '...I noticed the wind sock and it was drooping...I went to final approach (for rwy 1) ... Noticed a little wind so I crabbed into it, and I noticed my approach didn't look good so I went to do a go-around. I went to raise the…Jul 4, 1986 · N8291E · Substantial damage