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 20, 1994	EAST NEWPORT, ME	N100DF	Incident	substantial	IMPROPER ENGINE MAINTENANCE BY THE OPERATOR RESULTING IN OIL EXHAUSTION AND SUBSEQUENT INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE.
Feb 18, 1994	RAVENNA, OH	N9101H	Incident	substantial	FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF LEADING TO A COLLISION WITH A SNOW BANK WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE NOSING OVER… FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF LEADING TO A COLLISION WITH A SNOW BANK WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE NOSING OVER.
Feb 16, 1994	GEORGETOWN, AR	N737ZY	Incident	substantial	A CARBURETOR ICING INDUCED POWER LOSS DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT IN CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING. A FACTOR WAS THE… A CARBURETOR ICING INDUCED POWER LOSS DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT IN CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN ONTO WHICH A FORCED LANDING COULD BE EXECUTED.
Feb 06, 1994	ORLANDO, FL	N54729	Incident	substantial	THE FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO FOLLOW INSTUCTIONS GIVEN BY GROUND CONTROL AND THE FAILURE OF BOTH PILOTS TO MAINTAIN PROPER OBSTRUCTION CLEARANCE… THE FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO FOLLOW INSTUCTIONS GIVEN BY GROUND CONTROL AND THE FAILURE OF BOTH PILOTS TO MAINTAIN PROPER OBSTRUCTION CLEARANCE BETWEEN AIRCRAFT.
Feb 04, 1994	OPA-LOCKA, FL	N9003E	Incident	minor	INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION AND LUBRICATION OF THE FLAP ROLLERS WHICH RESULTED IN THE LEFT FLAP INBOARD ROLLER BECOMING JAMMED IN THE TRACK DURI… INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION AND LUBRICATION OF THE FLAP ROLLERS WHICH RESULTED IN THE LEFT FLAP INBOARD ROLLER BECOMING JAMMED IN THE TRACK DURING FLAP RETRACTION.
Jan 25, 1994	LIVERMORE, CA	N6375D	Incident	substantial	THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL AND HIS IMPROPER USE OF THE RUDDER. THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO RAISE THE FLAPS, THE PREVAILING… THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL AND HIS IMPROPER USE OF THE RUDDER. THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO RAISE THE FLAPS, THE PREVAILING 90-DEGREE CROSSWIND, AND HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE ARE FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT.
Dec 30, 1993	EL MONTE, CA	N7553E	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S DELAYED DECISION TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF AND IMPROPER USE OF THE AIRPLANE'S THROTTLE.
Dec 18, 1993	KIMBALL, NE	N4930G	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. A factor related to the accident was the pilot's lack of total flight ex… the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. A factor related to the accident was the pilot's lack of total flight experience.
Dec 17, 1993	BAR HARBOR, ME	N5753E	Incident	substantial	A DISCONNECTED FUEL LINE WITH THE CARBURETOR NOT INSTALLED, AND IMPROPER DISPATCH OF THE AIRCRAFT.
Nov 27, 1993	ALBUQUERQUE, NM	N4759G	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE.
Nov 25, 1993	JACKSONVILLE, FL	N89900	Incident	substantial	THE IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR BY THE PILOT-IN- COMMAND RESULTING IN FUEL STARVATION.
Nov 18, 1993	SANTA ANA, CA	N97766	Incident	substantial	were the CFI's inadequate supervision of the flight and his delay in taking remedial action. The dual student's excessive taxi speed and the worn rig… were the CFI's inadequate supervision of the flight and his delay in taking remedial action. The dual student's excessive taxi speed and the worn right brake lining were factors in this accident.
Nov 15, 1993	ORLANDO, FL	N1753V	Incident	substantial	THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND OF THE OTHER AIRCRAFT TO MAINTAIN A VISUAL LOOKOUT AND CLEARANCE BETWEEN AIRCRAFT.
Nov 06, 1993	HALF MOON BAY, CA	N2718L	Incident	substantial	IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT OF THE SECOND STEARMAN, AND HIS SELECTION OF THE WRONG RUNWAY ON WHICH TO LAND. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDE… IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT OF THE SECOND STEARMAN, AND HIS SELECTION OF THE WRONG RUNWAY ON WHICH TO LAND. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: FAILURE OF THE STEARMAN PILOTS TO OBTAIN PERTINENT NOTAM INFORMATION.
Oct 30, 1993	JOSHUA TREE, CA	N8279E	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain a proper descent rate on final approach. A factor in the accident was the student's limited total experience.
Oct 24, 1993	MURRIETA, CA	N96353	Incident	substantial	THE UNEXPECTED WINDSHEER THAT WAS ENCOUNTERED ON FINAL APPROACH. THE SURROUNDING MOUNTAIN/HILLY TERRAIN WAS A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT.
Oct 16, 1993	CULEBRA, PR	N16582	Incident	substantial	The poor in-flight decision of the pilot-in-command to bank the airplane while flying low level instead of climbing to avoid collision with a bird. Co… The poor in-flight decision of the pilot-in-command to bank the airplane while flying low level instead of climbing to avoid collision with a bird. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water.
Oct 16, 1993	JACKSONVILLE, TX	N7825T	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES TO TROUBLESHOOT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. A FACTOR WAS AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IRREGULARITY OF AN … THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES TO TROUBLESHOOT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. A FACTOR WAS AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IRREGULARITY OF AN UNDETERMINED NATURE.
Oct 15, 1993	CO. SPRINGS, CO	N5191F	Incident	substantial	AN ENCOUNTER WITH WAKE TURBULENCE DURING THE LANDING FLARE. A FACTOR WAS LACK OF TOTAL PILOT EXPERIENCE.
Oct 12, 1993	BLOUNTVILLE, TN	N12657	Incident	substantial	IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN INADEQUATE FUEL AND FUEL EXHAUSTION.
Oct 10, 1993	INDEPENDENCE, MO	N738LX	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S MISJUDGMENT OF DISTANCE, ALTITUDE, AND SPEED ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN OBSTACLE CLEARANCE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE … THE PILOT'S MISJUDGMENT OF DISTANCE, ALTITUDE, AND SPEED ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN OBSTACLE CLEARANCE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE PROXIMITY OF THE VEHICLE TO THE APPROACH PATH WAS A RELATED FACTOR.
Oct 09, 1993	RENTON, WA	N7367E	Incident	substantial	THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING. THE CROSSWIND WAS A FACTOR.
Oct 08, 1993	LONGBRANCH, WA	N9932Q	Incident	substantial	THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROCEDURES. FACTORS INCLUDE CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS AND SOFT TERRAIN IN THE LANDING AREA.
Oct 05, 1993	CORVALLIS, OR	N16ED	Incident	substantial	THE CFI'S INADEQUATE IN-FLIGHT PLANNING, AND HIS INADVERTENT GEAR-UP LANDING. FACTORS INCLUDE THE CFI'S DIVERTED ATTENTION.
Oct 04, 1993	WELLSVILLE, NY	N20286	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall and inflight collision with the terrain.

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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