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 17, 1995	PLANO, TX	N5096U	Incident	substantial	THE DISENGAGEMENT OF THE CRANKSHAFT GEAR DUE TO THE LOOSENING OF THE GEAR RETAINING BOLT AND THE SUBSEQUENT FRACTURE OF THE GEAR ALIGNMENT DOWEL. A FA… THE DISENGAGEMENT OF THE CRANKSHAFT GEAR DUE TO THE LOOSENING OF THE GEAR RETAINING BOLT AND THE SUBSEQUENT FRACTURE OF THE GEAR ALIGNMENT DOWEL. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN AVAILABLE FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Feb 16, 1995	CORONA, CA	N9512H	Minor	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment after aborting a takeoff and improper use of the brakes during the abort.
Feb 13, 1995	WRIGHTSVILLE, GA	N79157	Serious (1)	substantial	THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHILE MANEUVERING IN A TURN. THE LOW ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF THE STALL WAS A FACTOR.
Feb 09, 1995	POPE VALLEY, CA	N4345L	Fatal (1)	destroyed	the pilot's poor judgment to buzz the lake and his inadequate visual lookout.
Feb 06, 1995	BOULDER, CO	N80893	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S PREMATURE ROTATION.
Feb 05, 1995	NEVIS, MN	N739FZ	Incident	substantial	the loss of engine power due to a blockage caused by ice. A factor in the accident was the snow.
Feb 02, 1995	MINTONVILLE, KY	N734KV	Fatal (2)	destroyed	THE FLIGHTCREW'S INTENTIONAL VFR FLIGHT INTO KNOWN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. A FACTOR WAS THE INADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO PREVENT AN INADVERTEN… THE FLIGHTCREW'S INTENTIONAL VFR FLIGHT INTO KNOWN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. A FACTOR WAS THE INADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO PREVENT AN INADVERTENT COLLISION WITH AN OBSTRUCTION.
Jan 31, 1995	MOUNTAIN VIEW, AR	N2610L	Serious (1)	substantial	THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF A DOWNWIND RUNWAY FOR TAKEOFF, HIS FAILURE TO USE ALL AVAILABLE RUNWAY, AND DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF. A FACTOR WAS THE T… THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF A DOWNWIND RUNWAY FOR TAKEOFF, HIS FAILURE TO USE ALL AVAILABLE RUNWAY, AND DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF. A FACTOR WAS THE TAILWIND.
Jan 22, 1995	MESA, AZ	N73141	Incident	substantial	Student pilot's failure to maintain proper alignment, his delayed remedial action, and improper use of the flight controls. The student pilot's lack … Student pilot's failure to maintain proper alignment, his delayed remedial action, and improper use of the flight controls. The student pilot's lack of experience was a factor in this accident.
Jan 20, 1995	COTTAGE GROVE, WI	N84603	Minor	destroyed	THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN/RUNWAY FOR LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE UNFAVORABLE WIND, ICY RUNWAY CONDITION, AND… THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN/RUNWAY FOR LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE UNFAVORABLE WIND, ICY RUNWAY CONDITION, AND SNOWBANK AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY.
Jan 17, 1995	NEVIS ISLAND, WN	N738HB	Incident	destroyed	Investigation pending
Jan 16, 1995	MERIDIANVILLE, AL	N739RN	Minor	substantial	The failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft.
Jan 15, 1995	KANSAS CITY, MO	N75585	Incident	substantial	An improper recovery from a bounced landing. Factors associated with the accident were an improper airspeed and not attaining a proper descent rate b… An improper recovery from a bounced landing. Factors associated with the accident were an improper airspeed and not attaining a proper descent rate by the pilot.
Jan 15, 1995	ANVIK, AK	N6867X	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE IN THE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK CONCERNING THE UNEVEN DISTRIBUTION OF FUEL, AND STARVATION OF THE FUEL I… THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE IN THE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK CONCERNING THE UNEVEN DISTRIBUTION OF FUEL, AND STARVATION OF THE FUEL INTAKE LINE BY UNPORTING.
Jan 14, 1995	BLYN, WA	N1535E	Fatal (3)	destroyed	THE PILOT'S VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE DARK NIGHT.
Jan 10, 1995	SALT LAKE CITY, UT	N3708L	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS DURING RUNUP. THE UNFAVORABLE WIND WAS A FACTOR.
Dec 29, 1994	Albuquerque, NM	N737ZJ	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING A TOUCH-AND-GO LANDING.
Dec 25, 1994	UNALAKLEET, AK	N7137T	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR A CROSSWIND CONDITION. A CROSSWIND WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.
Dec 22, 1994	LAUREL, MD	N1620Y	Serious (1)	destroyed	The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which failed to detect water-contaminated fuel.
Dec 21, 1994	ALLEGAN, MI	N7656X	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control which resulted in the inability to obtain proper runway alignment. Related factors are the… the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control which resulted in the inability to obtain proper runway alignment. Related factors are the student pilot's lack of total flight experience and the snowbank.
Dec 18, 1994	CARROLLTON, GA	N5440R	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT COLLISION WITH TREES, ADJACENT TO THE TAXIWAY, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO AVOID A DEER THAT CROSSED THE TAXIWAY.
Dec 11, 1994	N. MYRTLE BEACH, SC	N6466D	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind takeoff.
Dec 07, 1994	SEGUIN, TX	N7697X	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT.
Dec 03, 1994	MIAMI, FL	N707PP	Fatal (1)	—	The passenger committed suicide.
Dec 02, 1994	BATAVIA, OH	N12395	Incident	substantial	FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING FLARE/TOUGHDOWN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE CROSSWIND AND P… FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING FLARE/TOUGHDOWN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE CROSSWIND AND PROXIMITY OF THE DITCH TO THE RUNWAY.

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.

← Cessna 172 For Sale All Cessna Models

Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data

Looking to buy a Cessna 172? View 499 Cessna 172 for sale ↓

Cessna 172 Safety Record

Report an Issue