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
Feb 18, 1996	JACKSON, MS	N166F	Minor	substantial	loss of engine power during takeoff for undetermined reason(s). A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of suitable terrain for a forced land… loss of engine power during takeoff for undetermined reason(s). A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.
Feb 17, 1996	RAYMOND, CA	N53115	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to verify the quantity of fuel onboard the aircraft prior to departure, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
Feb 16, 1996	CASHMERE, WA	N52264	Incident	substantial	the pilot's selection of the wrong runway for landing, by not observing a procedure to land uphill during calm wind conditions, and his subsequent fai… the pilot's selection of the wrong runway for landing, by not observing a procedure to land uphill during calm wind conditions, and his subsequent failure to retract the flaps during landing roll, as recommended by the airplane's short-field landing procedure. The downhill slope of the landing runway was a related factor.
Feb 15, 1996	SALMON, ID	N96879	Incident	substantial	failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during the landing, which resulted in a ground swerve. A factor relating to the accident was: th… failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during the landing, which resulted in a ground swerve. A factor relating to the accident was: the rock pile to the left of the runway.
Feb 11, 1996	HEDLEY, TX	N7358G	Incident	substantial	the failure of maintenance personnel to properly torque the connecting rod bolts. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Feb 09, 1996	GUNNISON, CO	N4262L	Incident	substantial	Loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a related factor.
Feb 04, 1996	MCLEARY, WA	N6750H	Incident	substantial	failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from mountainous/wooded terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: the terrain an… failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from mountainous/wooded terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: the terrain and downdraft conditions.
Jan 28, 1996	RINEYVILLE, KY	N2315U	Incident	substantial	the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Jan 23, 1996	SANFORD, FL	N53588	Incident	substantial	the pilot-in-command's excessive taxi speed and his failure to maintain adequate clearance from obstacles.
Jan 21, 1996	NORMAN, OK	N76067	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's improper level-off during landing.
Jan 14, 1996	NASHUA, NH	N61765	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate crosswind compensation during the go-around.
Jan 12, 1996	GRAND FORKS, ND	N6338D	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while taxiing. Factors in the accident were the icy condition of the taxiway and the high gus… the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while taxiing. Factors in the accident were the icy condition of the taxiway and the high gusting wind.
Jan 08, 1996	LANTANA, FL	N800PB	Minor	substantial	Loss of engine power for an undetermined reason, while over water, which resulted in a forced landing/ditching at sea.
Jan 07, 1996	NASSAU, BF	N55475	Fatal (5)	substantial	Investigation pending
Jan 06, 1996	PARK CITY, MT	N172NS	Incident	substantial	Inadequate visual lookout by the pilot, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from the transmission line.
Dec 30, 1995	WILDWOOD, NJ	N733CL	Incident	substantial	failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors relating to the accident were: the student's selection of the w… failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors relating to the accident were: the student's selection of the wrong runway, and the crosswind condition.
Dec 27, 1995	EXCELSIOR SPRG, MO	N172DA	Serious (1)	substantial	the pilot's selection of the wrong runway for landing and the delayed aborted landing. Factors associated with the accident were the tailwind conditi… the pilot's selection of the wrong runway for landing and the delayed aborted landing. Factors associated with the accident were the tailwind condition and the pilot's inadequate level-off.
Dec 24, 1995	PACIFIC CITY, OR	N738ME	Incident	substantial	The pilot's delay in aborting the landing, which resulted in his failure to clear the perimeter fence. Factors relating to the accident were: the tai… The pilot's delay in aborting the landing, which resulted in his failure to clear the perimeter fence. Factors relating to the accident were: the tailwind, and the pilot's failure to land at the proper touchdown point.
Dec 23, 1995	BAKERSFIELD, CA	N73303	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper aborted landing procedure which resulted in the aircraft stalling and impacting terrain.
Dec 17, 1995	OWYHEE, OR	N143JP	Incident	substantial	the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. The soft terrain and high vegetation were related factors.
Dec 17, 1995	BRYCEVILLE, FL	N75938	Minor	substantial	The pilot's improper planning/decision. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's inaccurate evaluation of the weather conditions, the pilot… The pilot's improper planning/decision. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's inaccurate evaluation of the weather conditions, the pilot becoming lost/disoriented, and the lack of braking action on wet grass during the precautionary landing.
Dec 13, 1995	PALM SPRINGS, CA	N73601	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate bounced landing recovery technique, which resulted in porpoising during a downwind emergency landing. The loss of engine power… the pilot's inadequate bounced landing recovery technique, which resulted in porpoising during a downwind emergency landing. The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons was a factor.
Dec 12, 1995	MOHAVE VALLEY, AZ	N8987V	Incident	substantial	the failure of the pilot to assure that clearance was maintained while taxiing in proximity of buildings at an excessive taxi speed.
Dec 12, 1995	SANFORD, ME	N734QZ	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to adequately compensate for a crosswind during the landing roll, which resulted in a collision with a snowbank. Factors relating… the pilot's failure to adequately compensate for a crosswind during the landing roll, which resulted in a collision with a snowbank. Factors relating to the accident were: ice on the runway and the gusty crosswind condition.
Dec 09, 1995	OCOTILLO WELLS, CA	N4203L	Incident	substantial	the failure of the pilot to maintain a proper glide path on final approach.

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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