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 25, 1996	VAN NUYS, CA	N54686	Incident	substantial	improper flare by the pilot during the landing, and his improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a hard landing, dragged wing tip, … improper flare by the pilot during the landing, and his improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a hard landing, dragged wing tip, and a collapsed main gear.
Nov 24, 1996	OLIVE BRANCH, MS	N739ZA	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a ballooned/bounced landing. The gusty wind was a related factor.
Nov 21, 1996	ANDOVER, MA	N4926G	Incident	substantial	failure of the dual magneto, which resulted in a total loss of engine power, and subsequent collision with trees during a forced landing at night. Da… failure of the dual magneto, which resulted in a total loss of engine power, and subsequent collision with trees during a forced landing at night. Darkness and trees in the emergency landing area were related factors.
Nov 20, 1996	MESA, AZ	N26FR	Incident	substantial	the pilot's misjudged landing flare and improper bounced landing recovery technique, which led to an inadvertent porpoise.
Nov 12, 1996	WAUKEGAN, IL	N55161	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. A factor was the pilot's misjudging the flare.
Nov 01, 1996	TULSA, OK	N9520B	Incident	substantial	The failure of the main landing gear pivot gear assembly.
Oct 26, 1996	HILTON, NY	N5535R	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper soft field landing technique, which allowed a nose over during the landing rollout. Soft terrain was a related factor.
Oct 19, 1996	FRUITLAND PARK, FL	N5155E	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain proper runway alignment during takeoff. The unfavorable wind conditio… The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain proper runway alignment during takeoff. The unfavorable wind condition was a related factor.
Oct 07, 1996	MESA, AZ	N1332Y	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper use (positioning) of the fuel selector, which resulted in fuel starvation and loss of engine power.
Oct 05, 1996	CHATHAM, MA	N3707R	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's lack of experience in the make and m… the pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's lack of experience in the make and model of airplane.
Oct 05, 1996	TUTTLE, OK	N172JF	Incident	substantial	failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during takeoff roll, which resulted in a ground swerve. Factors relating to the accident were: t… failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during takeoff roll, which resulted in a ground swerve. Factors relating to the accident were: tall grass along the edges of the runway, and the proximity of the fence, fence posts, and trees.
Oct 01, 1996	CEDAR CITY, UT	N5459H	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to attain proper airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in a premature lift-off and an encounter with the terrain during the abor… the pilot's failure to attain proper airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in a premature lift-off and an encounter with the terrain during the aborted landing. Excessive extension of the wing flaps was a related factor.
Sep 29, 1996	DELAVAN, WI	N7216Q	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to assure the airplane was properly secured prior to hand-propping the engine.
Sep 28, 1996	DEAL, NJ	N84593	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper decision/planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent forced landing.
Sep 21, 1996	RICHWOOD, WV	N848LF	Incident	substantial	improper in-flight planning/decision by the flight crew, and inadequate supervision by the check pilot, which resulted in the flight crew's failure to… improper in-flight planning/decision by the flight crew, and inadequate supervision by the check pilot, which resulted in the flight crew's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from trees on rising terrain. A factor relating to the accident was: rising/mountainous terrain.
Sep 19, 1996	EHRENBERG, AZ	N5536T	Incident	substantial	The pilot's attempt to perform a low altitude evasive maneuver with inadequate airspeed resulting in a stall/mush.
Sep 17, 1996	AURORA, IL	N966LA	Incident	substantial	undetermined.
Sep 16, 1996	SHIRLEY, NY	N737GJ	Incident	substantial	the pilot's prematurely retraction of flaps during the go-around, which resulted in settling (mushing) of the airplane and a collision with the ground… the pilot's prematurely retraction of flaps during the go-around, which resulted in settling (mushing) of the airplane and a collision with the ground.
Sep 08, 1996	WELLSTON, MI	N7016T	Incident	substantial	The pilot failed to maintain control of the aircraft. Factors were the rough road, the tree, and the tire.
Sep 07, 1996	PACIFIC CITY, OR	N12382	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to see-and-avoid the transmission line. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's low altitude flight, and the transmiss… the pilot's failure to see-and-avoid the transmission line. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's low altitude flight, and the transmission line.
Sep 02, 1996	CHICAGO, IL	N65785	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing. A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's lack of experience (or la… the pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing. A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's lack of experience (or lack of training) in recovery from bounced landings.
Aug 29, 1996	AUBURN, CA	N9315E	Incident	substantial	the pilot's misjudged landing flare and improper bounced landing recovery. A contributing factor was his lack of recent flying experience.
Aug 26, 1996	OCOTILLO, CA	N5543R	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment. The sun glare and proximity of rocks were related factors.
Aug 24, 1996	TRUCKEE, CA	N64198	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control. The encounter with a di… the student pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control. The encounter with a ditch was a related factor.
Aug 24, 1996	DURANGO, CO	N3782F	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper flaring of the airplane at too high an altitude, resulting in a hard landing.

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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