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
Mar 24, 2012	Colorado Springs, CO	N97LP	Minor	substantial	The pilot did not maintain control of the airplane during takeoff, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent nose over.
Mar 10, 2012	Orleans, VT	N738QF	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line while conducting low-altitude flight.
Nov 02, 2011	Frederick, MD	N212CF	Minor	substantial	The student pilot’s inadequate directional control during the landing roll.
Nov 01, 2011	Pompano Beach, FL	N739JN	Minor	substantial	The separation of the throttle cable from its fitting, which resulted in an inability to control engine power. Contributing to the accident was the in… The separation of the throttle cable from its fitting, which resulted in an inability to control engine power. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate maintenance by the owner.
Sep 26, 2011	Phoenix, AZ	N169ME	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout.
Aug 29, 2011	Atlanta, ID	N8698U	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s misjudgment of his final approach path. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning.
Aug 02, 2011	Syracuse, UT	N235GW	Minor	substantial	The failure of the maintenance technicians who installed the engine to properly tighten the fuel injection servo to a spider supply line, which caused… The failure of the maintenance technicians who installed the engine to properly tighten the fuel injection servo to a spider supply line, which caused a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
Jul 28, 2011	Pahokee, FL	N1443U	Minor	substantial	The flight instructor's misjudgment of the airplane's position and airspeed relative to the runway while returning to the airport after a partial loss… The flight instructor's misjudgment of the airplane's position and airspeed relative to the runway while returning to the airport after a partial loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the separation of the engine's No. 3 cylinder exhaust valve head from the stem, and the operator’s exceedence of the engine manufacturer's recommended time between overhauls.
May 28, 2011	Ironton, OH	N5663R	Minor	substantial	The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have … The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Apr 28, 2011	Fort Worth, TX	N411ES	Minor	substantial	The student pilot's improper recovery from the bounced landing and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.
Mar 23, 2011	Statesville, NC	N32SF	Minor	substantial	The certified flight instructor's inadequate remedial action during the go-around, which resulted in a collision with trees.
Mar 05, 2011	Ocracoke, NC	N84867	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s inadequate flare and failure to regain control of the airplane while attempting to recover from bounced landing.
Jan 30, 2011	Chesapeake, OH	N55212	Minor	substantial	The partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and the pilot’s delayed use of carburetor heat and failure to attain the proper touchdown poi… The partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and the pilot’s delayed use of carburetor heat and failure to attain the proper touchdown point on the runway during the precautionary landing.
Nov 27, 2010	Suisun City, CA	N5582T	Minor	substantial	A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Nov 21, 2010	Bluffton, SC	N882AV	Minor	substantial	An in-flight upset of undetermined origin resulting in a forced landing.
Oct 03, 2010	Durango, CO	N2593	Minor	substantial	A total loss of engine power due to the pilot inadvertently moving the fuel selector to the OFF position. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's… A total loss of engine power due to the pilot inadvertently moving the fuel selector to the OFF position. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's unfamiliarity with this model accident airplane.
Sep 25, 2010	Point Lookout, MO	N1131U	Minor	substantial	The pilot receiving instruction's failure to attain the proper touchdown point and execute a go-around and the CFI’s delayed remedial action, which re… The pilot receiving instruction's failure to attain the proper touchdown point and execute a go-around and the CFI’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in a runway overrun.
Aug 15, 2010	USA	N44WH	Minor	substantial	A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Aug 08, 2010	Chattanooga, TN	N51745	Minor	substantial	The student pilot's improper execution of the go-around procedure.
Aug 06, 2010	Roche Harbor, WA	N9730H	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s failure to attain an adequate climb airspeed due to his use of flaps for takeoff, and his selection of a runway, which resulted in an uphi… The pilot’s failure to attain an adequate climb airspeed due to his use of flaps for takeoff, and his selection of a runway, which resulted in an uphill, and possibly downwind, takeoff and subsequent collision with a known obstacle. Contributing to the accident was the operator's cockpit checklist that did not accurately reflect the manufacturer's takeoff procedures.
Aug 01, 2010	Newton, KS	N13013	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s inadequate flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Jun 05, 2010	Bountiful, UT	N3948R	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Contributing to the accident was the high density altitude.
Jun 01, 2010	Dania Beach, FL	N1435F	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Apr 03, 2010	Romney, WV	N79234	Minor	substantial	The pilot's improper decision to land with a 20-knot tailwind and his failure to initiate a go-around, which resulted in a runway overrun.
Mar 05, 2010	Newark, OH	N391ES	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.

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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