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Cessna 172 Emergency Checklist | Model R, S, and SP

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In aviation, the unexpected can happen at any time. Being prepared for emergencies can be the difference between a safe landing and a disaster.

Throughout your training you’ll safely practice a variety of emergency procedures to make sure you know exactly how to respond. Practicing these procedures in controlled settings will help you feel more prepared in the cockpit.

The Cessna 172 is a popular flight training aircraft and one many of our students use in their training.

This makes it all the more important for pilots flying this aircraft to be well-versed in its specific emergency procedures.

Below is the emergency checklist our students use when flying our 2018 and newer Cessna 172 aircraft. The information included below is only for reference. You should verify that this checklist will work with your model of 172.

Whether you’re a new pilot learning the ropes or an experienced aviator brushing up on your skills, this Cessna 172 emergency checklist is the type of reference every pilot should have in the cockpit with them.

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Want to get the PDF version of this 172 Emergency Checklist? Just click here and we’ll send it to your inbox.

Emergency Landing

If above 1,500′ AGL
Squawk7700
EmergencyDeclare on 121.5
All Altitudes
SeatsUpright
SeatbeltsSecure
MixtureCutoff
Fuel Shutoff ValveOff
MagnetosOff
Landing Assured
FlapsAs Required
STBY BATTOff
Master ALT & BATOff
DoorsUnlatch

Engine Failure After Takeoff

Airspeed70
MixtureCutoff
MagnetosOff
FlapsAs Required
STBY BATTOff
Master ALT & BATOff
Cabin DoorUnlatch
LandStraight Ahead

Engine Failure in Flight

Airspeed68
Best Place to LandSelect
Fuel Shutoff ValveOn (Push In)
Fuel Selector ValveBoth
Fuel PumpOn
MixtureRich
MagnetosBoth (or start)
If Power Restored
Fuel PumpOff (Monitor Flow)
Cruise ChecklistComplete
If Power NOT Restored
Emergency LandingEXECUTE

Wing Fire

Exterior LightsAll Off
Pitot HeatOff

Sideslip to keep flames away from fuel.

Engine Fire During Start

StarterContinue Cranking
If Engine starts
Throttle (for 2 mins)1800 RPM
EngineShutdown/Inspect
if engine fails to start
ThrottleOpen
MixtureCutoff
Fuel Shutoff ValveOff
Fuel PumpOff
MagnetosOff
STBY BATTOff
Mast ALT & BATOff
If Fire Continues
AircraftAbandon
FireExtinguish

Engine Fire in Flight

MixtureCutoff
Fuel Shutoff ValveOff
Fuel PumpOff
Mast ALT & BATOff
Cabin VentsOpen
Cabin Heat/AirOff
AirspeedPitch for Vno
If Fire Extinguished
Emergency LandingExecute

Electrical Fire in Flight

STBY BATTOff
Master ALT & BATOff
VentsClosed
Cabin Heat/AirOff
FireExtinguish
All SwitchesOff (Except Mags)
If Fire Continues
Emergency DescentExecute
LandASAP
After Fire is Extinguished
Cabin VentsOpen
Cabin Heat/AirOn
If power necessary for continued flight
Circuit BreakersDo Not Reset
Master ALT & BATOn
STBY BATTArm
Avionics BUS 1&2On

Alternator Failure

AlternatorOff
Alt Field BreakerIn/Reset
AlternatorOn
If alternator still failed
AlternatorOff
Avionics BUS1Off
Pitot HeatOff
All Exterior LightsOff
Cabin Pwr 12VOff
COM1 and NAV1Select Active Freq
Avionics BUS2Off (unless in IMC)
LandWhen Practical

Flight Instrument Failure

If after FAF & VMC
LandWhen Practical
If After FAF& IMC
Missed ApproachConsider
State AloudContinue or Going Missed
If Executing missed, continue to below
If prior to FAF
Circuit BreakersCheck In
Vac Pressure (if installed)Check
Instrument CrosscheckComplete
If function not restored
AssistanceConsider
ATCNotify
Instrument CrosscheckContinue
ApproachConsider

PFD Failure

Revisionary ModePress
When Able
Circuit BreakersCheck In
If Function not restored
AssistanceConsider
ATCNotify
Instrument CrosscheckContinue
ApproachConsider

Lost Communications

RadioVerify Freq
Volume/SquelchAdjust
Push to TalkVerify TX
CommsCycle Com/Freq
If Comms no re-established
Squawk7600
LandWhen Practical
Recall light gun signals

Before Taxi Brief

Safety
Seatbelts

Location, function, and when to wear

Air Vents

Location, function, and motion sickness

Fire

Fire Extinguisher location and use

Emergency

Follow my instructions. Exit procedures

Talking

Sterile cockpit & exchange of controls

Your Questions

Questions from passengers

Departure Brief

Aborted Takeoff

Abort takeoff for any fires, red annunciators or loss of directional control

Engine failure below 1000 agl

Pitch for VG and land on remaining runway or within 30 degrees of heading

Engine failure above 1000 agl or turned crosswind

Pitch for VG and return to land on runway, taxiway, or suitable off-field site

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