How many accidents has the Cessna 172S had?

The NTSB has recorded 410 events involving the Cessna 172S: 45 fatal, 16 serious, 35 minor injuries, and 310 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 172S a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 172S has 410 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 172S Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 410 events recorded from 1999 to 2025.

410

All Events

310

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (80 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Jul 26, 2013	Phoenix, AZ	N635ND	Incident	substantial	A substantially damaged firewall that occurred during an unknown phase of flight for reasons that could not be determined.
Jul 22, 2013	New Smyrna Beach, FL	N121CW	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's improper landing flare and subsequent inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
Jul 17, 2013	Santa Barbra, CA	N971TA	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Jul 15, 2013	Redlands, CA	N625SP	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's improper flare and unsuccessful attempt to correct a bounced landing, which resulted in the overrun landing.
Jul 05, 2013	Monroe, WA	N686SP	Minor	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action that resulted… The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action that resulted in a runway excursion.
Jun 19, 2013	Clearwater, FL	N426SJ	Incident	substantial	A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because neither postaccident visual examinations nor test runs of the engine rev… A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because neither postaccident visual examinations nor test runs of the engine revealed any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Jun 13, 2013	Grand Forks, ND	N552ND	Serious (1)	substantial	The student pilot’s inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall during the go-around.
Jun 09, 2013	Ann Arbor, MI	N857SP	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to make a go-around in a timely manner and his loss of control during landing.
May 14, 2013	Ankeny, IA	N947SP	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing.
Feb 12, 2013	Mersin, TU	TC-CDA	Fatal (1)	substantial	Investigation pending
Feb 07, 2013	Minden, NV	N328SP	Fatal (1)	destroyed	The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering over mountainous terrain.
Jan 24, 2013	Peoria, IL	N5113J	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s inadvertent activation of the electric trim to the nose-down position, which resulted in the airplane being improperly configured for take… The pilot’s inadvertent activation of the electric trim to the nose-down position, which resulted in the airplane being improperly configured for takeoff, and the flight instructor’s incorrect remedial action that allowed the airplane to porpoise.
Dec 02, 2012	Kahului, HI	N3554Y	Fatal (1)	substantial	The noninstrument-rated pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent failure to maintain airplane control while operating over water in dark night co… The noninstrument-rated pilot’s spatial disorientation and subsequent failure to maintain airplane control while operating over water in dark night conditions with reduced visibility due to rain in the area.
Nov 03, 2012	Van Nuys, CA	N545ER	Incident	minor	The pilot of another airplane did not maintain a proper visual lookout during taxi, which resulted in an on-ground collision.
Nov 03, 2012	Roanoke, TX	N985GE	Minor	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles on the runway approach path. Contributing to the accident was the airport management'… The student pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles on the runway approach path. Contributing to the accident was the airport management's decision to relocate the runway displaced threshold, which did not provide an adequate safety margin for approaching aircraft, and the automobile driver's inadequate lookout for approaching aircraft before crossing the runway's approach path.
Nov 02, 2012	McKinney, TX	N172FU	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's loss of directional control during landing.
Oct 06, 2012	Izmir, TU	TC-CBI	Fatal (1)	substantial	Investigation pending
Sep 22, 2012	Land O'Lakes, FL	N21750	Fatal (1)	substantial	The pilot’s decision to continue the cross-country flight while fatigued, which resulted in him falling asleep during the initial descent for landing.
Sep 03, 2012	Sebring, FL	N9965P	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Sep 01, 2012	Farmingdale, NY	N2409E	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Aug 03, 2012	Culpeper, VA	N6276Z	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during an attempted takeoff.
Aug 01, 2012	Oshkosh, WI	N462TR	Incident	substantial	The flight instructor’s loss of directional control during landing, which resulted in a collision with a runway light.
Jul 10, 2012	Grand Forks, ND	N548ND	Incident	substantial	The student pilot’s inadequate landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Jul 09, 2012	Allentown, PA	N680MA	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a touch-and-go takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and a subsequent impac… The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a touch-and-go takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and a subsequent impact with a gopher hole, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the student pilot and his delayed remedial action.
Jun 30, 2012	Glenwood Springs, CO	N917SA	Minor	substantial	The pilot's decision to fly into a mountainous area where conditions were such that the airplane was unable to climb above rising terrain. Contributin… The pilot's decision to fly into a mountainous area where conditions were such that the airplane was unable to climb above rising terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's insufficient pilot-in-command experience and inadequate training in mountain flying.

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 172S For Sale All Cessna Models

Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data

Looking to buy a Cessna 172S? View 34 Cessna 172S for sale ↓

Cessna 172S Safety Record

Report an Issue