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 30, 1994	LAWTON, OK	N7099A	Fatal (1)	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED DURING TAKEOFF RESULTING IN A STALL. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF THE DOWNWIND RUNWAY AND H… THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED DURING TAKEOFF RESULTING IN A STALL. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF THE DOWNWIND RUNWAY AND HIS FAILURE TO USE ALL AVAILABBLE RUNWAY.
Nov 28, 1994	NIAGRA FALLS, NY	N104CT	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION AND THE ON GROUND ENCOUNTER WITH GUSTY WINDS.
Nov 23, 1994	CRYSTAL RIVER, FL	N1385U	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN VISUAL OUTLOOK DURING TAXIING.
Nov 22, 1994	BETHEL, ME	N19735	Incident	substantial	the flight instructor's failure to ensure adequate control of the airplane during a go-around. The gusty wind conditions were contributing factors.
Nov 21, 1994	BLANCO, TX	N65275	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S USE OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR TAKEOFF. FACTORS WERE THE UPHILL TERRAIN, THE LONG VEGETATION, AND SHORT TAKEOFF AREA AVAILABLE.
Nov 18, 1994	DEMING, NM	N54378	Fatal (2)	destroyed	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE IN MOUTAINOUS TERRAIN. FACTORS WERE RISING TERRAIN AND GUSTY, HIGH WIND CONDITIONS.
Nov 15, 1994	SPRINGERVILLE, AZ	N7178G	Fatal (3)	destroyed	the pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. The pilot's diverted attention and overconfidence i… the pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. The pilot's diverted attention and overconfidence in the aircraft's ability to fly slow were factors in this accident.
Nov 13, 1994	LOUISVILLE, GA	N8200L	Fatal (2)	destroyed	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM TREES DURING A LOW PASS MANEUVER. A FACTOR WAS THE TREES AT THE VICINITY OF THE LOW PASS.
Nov 12, 1994	BETHEL, AK	N6322D	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR CROSSWIND CONDITIONS. A CROSSWIND AND ICY RUNWAY CONDITIONS WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
Nov 09, 1994	KLAMATH FALLS, OR	N584WA	Fatal (1)	destroyed	THE VFR PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE WITH THE MOUN… THE VFR PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE WITH THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN BELOW HIM. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS A DOWNDRAFT.
Nov 08, 1994	LEWISTON, ID	N1380F	Incident	substantial	FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL EN ROUTE. FACTORS INCLUDE THE EMBANKMENT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ON WHICH HE MADE HIS FORCED LAND… FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL EN ROUTE. FACTORS INCLUDE THE EMBANKMENT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ON WHICH HE MADE HIS FORCED LANDING.
Nov 06, 1994	HUDSON, WI	N734LJ	Minor	substantial	inadequate maintenance (major overhaul) by maintenance personnel which resulted in the total loss of engine power. Soft terrain was a related factor.
Oct 31, 1994	TONOPAH, NV	N8210U	Incident	substantial	the pilot's excessive taxi speed and improper remedial action after the nose gear began to shimmy. The nose gear shimmy (nose gear vibration) and the… the pilot's excessive taxi speed and improper remedial action after the nose gear began to shimmy. The nose gear shimmy (nose gear vibration) and the berm were factors in this accident.
Oct 31, 1994	GERTON, NC	N5338D	Fatal (4)	destroyed	THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION AND HIS INTENTIONAL VISUAL FLIGHT INTO IMC.
Oct 29, 1994	COLORADO SPGS, CO	N52521	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S IMPROPER LANDING FLARE, THE RESULTANT PORPOISE AND AN INADEQUATE RECOVERY FROM THE BOUNCED LANDING.
Oct 22, 1994	CROSS PLAINS, WI	N7969U	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat. Factors were carburetor icing conditions and rough/uneven terrain.
Oct 22, 1994	TRES PIEDRAS, NM	N2721L	Minor	destroyed	THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE INFLIGHT PLANNING WHICH LED TO MANEUVERING AT SLOW AIRSPEED TO AVOID TERRAIN WHICH RESULTED IN FURTHER LOSS OF AIRSPEED AND AN … THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE INFLIGHT PLANNING WHICH LED TO MANEUVERING AT SLOW AIRSPEED TO AVOID TERRAIN WHICH RESULTED IN FURTHER LOSS OF AIRSPEED AND AN AERODYNAMIC STALL.
Oct 21, 1994	HONESDALE, PA	N7491E	Incident	substantial	the fuel selector was in the improper position, which resulted in a total loss of engine power, due to fuel starvation, a forced landing, and subseque… the fuel selector was in the improper position, which resulted in a total loss of engine power, due to fuel starvation, a forced landing, and subsequent impact with a stone wall.
Oct 15, 1994	CLEARWATER, FL	N8356U	Incident	substantial	THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSSWIND CONDITION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENC… THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSSWIND CONDITION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.
Oct 13, 1994	FARMINGTON, NM	N20384	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. FACTORS WERE WIND SHEAR, CROSSWINDS, AND GUSTS.
Oct 11, 1994	INDIANTOWN, FL	N5415R	Minor	substantial	THE IMPROPER LANDING FLARE BY THE PILOT RESULTING IN THE HARD LANDING.
Oct 09, 1994	CENTER HARBOR, NH	N733MV	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR A CROSSWIND CONDITION.
Oct 09, 1994	FANCY GAP, VA	N734NB	Fatal (1)	destroyed	The pilot's inadequate inflight planning and his failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance. Other related factors are: fog, rain, VFR flight in… The pilot's inadequate inflight planning and his failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance. Other related factors are: fog, rain, VFR flight into IMC, inexperience and mountainous terrain.
Oct 09, 1994	MORO, AR	N8181L	Incident	destroyed	ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS.
Oct 08, 1994	COALINGA, CA	N5061R	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain a proper glide path.

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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