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
May 07, 1998	AVALON, CA	N6514E	Fatal (4)	destroyed	The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance in a Blind/Box Canyon. A related factor was the mountainous/hilly terrain.
May 05, 1998	ENUMCLAW, WA	N6468D	Incident	substantial	The pilot's continued VFR flight into IMC conditions and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Clouds and mountainous terrain were a factor… The pilot's continued VFR flight into IMC conditions and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Clouds and mountainous terrain were a factor.
May 03, 1998	OCEAN SHORES, WA	N1673V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a light standard (utility pole) just off the edge of the parking ramp. Factors include a light standard… The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a light standard (utility pole) just off the edge of the parking ramp. Factors include a light standard placed near the edge of the parking ramp.
May 03, 1998	KEY WEST, FL	N54743	Incident	substantial	failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. The student pilot's lack of experience in the m… failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. The student pilot's lack of experience in the make and model of airplane was a related factor.
Apr 26, 1998	GREENVILLE, SC	N9769B	Incident	substantial	The pilot's use of full flaps while landing in a strong crosswind resulting in loss of directional control during the landing roll.
Apr 26, 1998	ANCHOR POINT, AK	N8969V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to compensate for a crosswind. A related factor was the crosswind.
Apr 26, 1998	HENDERSON, NV	N64006	Incident	substantial	The pilot's decision to attempt a landing in crosswind conditions at or above the demonstrated capability of the aircraft, and his subsequent failure … The pilot's decision to attempt a landing in crosswind conditions at or above the demonstrated capability of the aircraft, and his subsequent failure to maintain proper runway alignment.
Apr 25, 1998	EAGLE RIVER, WI	N79006	Incident	substantial	the pilot failed to compensate for the wind conditions, improperly executed a go-around when he raised the flaps, and failed to maintain obstacle clea… the pilot failed to compensate for the wind conditions, improperly executed a go-around when he raised the flaps, and failed to maintain obstacle clearance with the trees.
Apr 25, 1998	LA PORTE, TX	N52188	Incident	substantial	The pilot's premature landing flare and improper recovery procedures from a bounced landing. A factor was the gusty winds.
Apr 25, 1998	PARKER, CO	N6356D	Incident	substantial	a fractured #1 exhaust valve rocker arm stud, which subsequently resulted in loss of engine power and a forced landing. The lack of suitable terrain … a fractured #1 exhaust valve rocker arm stud, which subsequently resulted in loss of engine power and a forced landing. The lack of suitable terrain in the forced landing area was a related factor.
Apr 24, 1998	SANFORD, FL	N9303D	Minor	substantial	The inadvertent stall of the airplane and inadequate supervision of the student by the CFI-PIC while performing a soft field takeoff.
Apr 24, 1998	RAMONA, CA	N8364L	Fatal (2)	destroyed	The loss of control of the aircraft on final approach for undetermined reasons.
Apr 24, 1998	SUPERIOR, NE	N13834	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the sign. Factors associated with the accident were the sign which the airplane contacted and inadequa… the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the sign. Factors associated with the accident were the sign which the airplane contacted and inadequate preflight planning/preparation.
Apr 19, 1998	LONGMONT, CO	N6174K	Minor	substantial	The pilot inadvertently stalling the aircraft during the landing touchdown. Factors were a crosswind and the pilot's lack of total flight experience.
Apr 14, 1998	BARRINGTON HILL, IL	N6300E	Serious (1)	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall/mush and subsequent in-flight collision with trees.
Apr 12, 1998	STEVENSVILLE, MD	N734MN	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper flare, improper recover from a bounced landing, and failure to maintain directional control.
Apr 11, 1998	SCOTTSDALE, AZ	N73405	Minor	destroyed	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his inadequate compensation for the wind condition. A contributing factor was the crosswind.
Apr 08, 1998	SANTA BARBARA, CA	N6417J	Incident	substantial	The pilot's misjudging the landing flare and subsequent hard landing.
Apr 07, 1998	MALLARDS LDG, GA	N35594	Minor	substantial	A deer on the runway which led to the pilot's evasive manuever to avoid the deer.
Mar 31, 1998	FORT COLLINS, CO	N7894U	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper in flight planning/decision in electing to land with a known 30 knot tailwind. Factors were high winds and a tailwind.
Mar 31, 1998	KINGSPORT, TN	N9233H	Incident	destroyed	The dual student's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall mush. Contributing to the accident were the flight instructor's in… The dual student's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall mush. Contributing to the accident were the flight instructor's inadequate supervision and the night conditions.
Mar 29, 1998	PLAINVILLE, CT	N9821L	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate crosswind compensation.
Mar 25, 1998	PAXSON, AK	N7339T	Incident	destroyed	The pilots failure to maintain terrain clearance while flying into a box canyon, and an inadvertent stall during his attempt to reverse direction.
Mar 22, 1998	KINSTON, NC	N35326	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate preflight and improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and a forced landing. Soft te… the pilot's inadequate preflight and improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and a forced landing. Soft terrain in the emergency landing area was a related factor.
Mar 22, 1998	WEYERS CAVE, VA	N80512	Minor	substantial	the pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, whic… the pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in an encounter with a fence on uneven terrain and a nose over.

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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