How many accidents has the Cessna 172 had?

The NTSB has recorded 6810 events involving the Cessna 172: 960 fatal, 542 serious, 1048 minor injuries, and 4223 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 172 a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 172 has 6810 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 172 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 6810 events recorded from 1974 to 2026.

6810

All Events

4223

Incidents

1048

Minor

542

Serious

960

Fatal (1802 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Nov 13, 1998	JACKSONVILLE, IL	N35302	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors associated with the accident were the student's lack of experien… the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors associated with the accident were the student's lack of experience and the road which the airplane contacted.
Nov 08, 1998	BELEN, NM	N8883V	Minor	substantial	The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, resulting in fuel supply exhaustion.
Nov 08, 1998	LIMA, SC	N4696G	Minor	destroyed	The flight instructor's intentional flight into Instrument Meteorological Conditions. Factors were trees and mountainous terrain.
Nov 07, 1998	FORT LAUDERDALE, FL	N1901S	Incident	substantial	The failure of the pilot-in-command to note that the flaps did not retract while the pilot-rated student performed a touch-and-go landing on a 6,001 f… The failure of the pilot-in-command to note that the flaps did not retract while the pilot-rated student performed a touch-and-go landing on a 6,001 foot-long runway. Factors in the accident were the total failure of the flap system for undetermined reasons and the operation of the airplane in an overgross weight condition by the pilot-in-command (CFI).
Nov 01, 1998	CREVE COEUR, MO	N6713H	Incident	substantial	the pilot misjudged his altitude and airspeed during landing. A related factor was the dark night conditions.
Oct 26, 1998	DILLON, MT	N736VR	Incident	substantial	The student pilot-in-command's failure to maintain directional control. Contributing factors were rough terrain and crosswind conditions.
Oct 25, 1998	LINDEN, NJ	N6214F	Fatal (1)	destroyed	The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the power lines. A factor was sunglare.
Oct 25, 1998	CUMBERLAND, MD	N61648	Incident	substantial	The pilot's decision to land, instead of performing a go-around.
Oct 23, 1998	VANCOUVER, WA	N3765L	Incident	substantial	Refueling was not preformed which subsequently led to fuel exhaustion. Factors include the student pilot's inadequate preflight planing/preparation.
Oct 23, 1998	LAWRENCEVILLE, GA	N5918E	Incident	destroyed	A fire from an undetermined origin.
Oct 16, 1998	CONROE, TX	N2513L	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with trees. Factors were the fogged front windshield and side windows.
Oct 12, 1998	BUHL, ID	N6486J	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to follow the aircraft's recommended balked landing procedure, resulting in a stall. Factors include the pilot's failure to maint… The pilot's failure to follow the aircraft's recommended balked landing procedure, resulting in a stall. Factors include the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare, the pilot's lack of total experience, and insufficient altitude available for stall recovery.
Oct 12, 1998	BENNINGTON, VT	N1330F	Fatal (2)	destroyed	The pilot's VFR flight into IMC. Contributing factors were the pilot's lack of recent experience, mountainous/hilly terrain, and clouds.
Oct 11, 1998	OKLAHOMA CITY, OK	N172JF	Fatal (1)	destroyed	Suicide.
Oct 10, 1998	FREEPORT, BF	N9728H	Fatal (4)	substantial	Investigation pending
Oct 04, 1998	RUSSIAN MISSION, AK	N6867X	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors associated with the accident are rising terrain, and a downdraft.
Oct 02, 1998	MIDDLEFIELD, OH	N78624	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
Oct 01, 1998	VENICE, FL	N733HK	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Sep 30, 1998	PUYALLUP, WA	N2880Q	Incident	substantial	The pilot-in-command's failure to refuel en-route resulting in fuel exhaustion. Contributing factors were a vehicle (in the landing path) and dark nig… The pilot-in-command's failure to refuel en-route resulting in fuel exhaustion. Contributing factors were a vehicle (in the landing path) and dark night conditions.
Sep 29, 1998	RONAN, MT	N2479Y	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to attain adequate airspeed during liftoff from a soft field takeoff. Factors include high density alttiude.
Sep 29, 1998	Gallup, NM	N739JT	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate landing flare. Factors were his misjudgement of altitude and his excessive airspeed.
Sep 26, 1998	FARMVILLE, NC	N54013	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft and his improper use of the brakes, which led to the aircraft departing the left s… The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft and his improper use of the brakes, which led to the aircraft departing the left side of the runway. Contributing factors were the wet runway and the vehicle.
Sep 21, 1998	LONG BEACH, CA	N8761U	Incident	substantial	The pilot's misjudging the flare point and failure to maintain an adequate airspeed margin, which resulted in a stall/mush and hard landing. A contri… The pilot's misjudging the flare point and failure to maintain an adequate airspeed margin, which resulted in a stall/mush and hard landing. A contributing factor was the dark night conditions.
Sep 20, 1998	LOUISVILLE, KY	N2482U	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to perform a preflight inspection of the airplane before his first solo flight, and inadequate supervision by the certifie… The student pilot's failure to perform a preflight inspection of the airplane before his first solo flight, and inadequate supervision by the certified flight instructor, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
Sep 19, 1998	STOW, MA	N1729V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. Contributing factors were the pilot's lack of a single engine experience/certification. Also a… The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. Contributing factors were the pilot's lack of a single engine experience/certification. Also a factor was the flying club's inadequate oversight of pilot qualifications.

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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Cessna 172 Safety Record

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