The pilot’s improper preflight inspection of the airplane’s fuel system, resulting in him commencing the flight with an inadequate fuel supply.
NTSB
Fuel contamination brings down airplane just after annual inspection
The pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to fuel contamination.
Pilot crashes after exceeding critical angle of attack
The pilot’s exceedance of the critical angle of attack during takeoff and corresponding stall/mush. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s operation of the airplane above the maximum specified gross weight.
Cross-country flight ends in fuel exhaustion
The pilot’s inadequate fuel management that resulted in the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Formation flight ends in crash
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate separation during a formation flight, which resulted in an encounter with wake turbulence, an aerodynamic stall, and collision with terrain.
Forced landing in field bends Champion
The pilot decision to perform a precautionary landing to a field with obstacles which resulted in a ground loop. Contributing was the pilot’s inadequate fuel planning.
Pilot seriously injured when elevator cables rigged incorrectly
The incorrect (reverse) rigging of the elevator cables by maintenance personnel and their subsequent failure to verify that the rigging was correct during post-maintenance checks and the pilot’s inadequate preflight check.
Go-around goes awry
The pilot’s failure to follow the go-around procedures by prematurely retracting the flaps and not establishing a proper go-around climb speed after attempting to land with a quartering tailwind, resulting in the airplane’s inability to climb.
Unstable approach bends 172
The pilot’s unstable approach, which resulted in a hard landing and impact with a runway threshold light. Also causal was the flight instructor’s failure to take remedial action to prevent the hard landing.