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
Apr 26, 1993	MEEKER, CO	N4472R	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR WAS: GUSTY CROSSWINDS.
Apr 26, 1993	BULLHEAD CITY, AZ	N6698A	Incident	substantial	a fatigue failure of the crankshaft due to improper assembly of the engine during the major overhaul.
Apr 23, 1993	COLUMBUS, OH	N734QF	Incident	substantial	THE IMPROPER FLARE BY THE PILOT ALLOWING THE AIRPLANE TO BALLOON AND LAND HARD. A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT FLYING EXPERIENC… THE IMPROPER FLARE BY THE PILOT ALLOWING THE AIRPLANE TO BALLOON AND LAND HARD. A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT FLYING EXPERIENCE.
Apr 23, 1993	NEEDLES, CA	N6292D	Incident	substantial	the total loss of engine power due to the failure of the magneto in the ignition system. The magneto failure resulted from the operator's lack of vol… the total loss of engine power due to the failure of the magneto in the ignition system. The magneto failure resulted from the operator's lack of voluntary compliance with the manufacturers suggested overhaul cycle.
Apr 15, 1993	FLAGSTAFF, AZ	N3443E	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S POOR AIRCRAFT HANDLING TECHNIQUES, HIS FAILURE TO CORRECTLY CONFIGURE THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL DURING THE GO AROUND, AND, HIS FAILURE T… THE PILOT'S POOR AIRCRAFT HANDLING TECHNIQUES, HIS FAILURE TO CORRECTLY CONFIGURE THE CARBURETOR HEAT CONTROL DURING THE GO AROUND, AND, HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL MUSH CONDITION. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S LOW TOTAL EXPERIENCE AND THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE CONDITION.
Apr 15, 1993	GREENVILLE, TN	N70397	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper procedures in that he landed with excessive flap extension, and his inadequate compensation for the gusting crosswind.
Apr 14, 1993	PONY, MT	N79505	Incident	destroyed	THE IMPROPER PREFLT PLANNING BY THE PIC AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN TAKEOFF AIRSPEED DURING GROUND ROLL ON A SOFT SNOW COVERED AIRSTRIP. A FACTOR RELAT… THE IMPROPER PREFLT PLANNING BY THE PIC AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN TAKEOFF AIRSPEED DURING GROUND ROLL ON A SOFT SNOW COVERED AIRSTRIP. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT SNOW ON THE AIRSTRIP.
Apr 12, 1993	IMMOKALEE, FL	N6542J	Incident	substantial	THE DECISION OF THE PILOT TO BUZZ AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT.
Apr 12, 1993	KASIGLUK, AK	N13147	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION AND DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: LOOSE GRAVEL ON THE SURFACE OF THE RU… THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION AND DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: LOOSE GRAVEL ON THE SURFACE OF THE RUNWAY AND THE SNOWBANK (BERM) ON THE OVERRUN (STOPWAY).
Apr 10, 1993	TOWANDA, KS	N6346E	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT FAILED TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR A GUSTY CROSSWIND CONDITION.
Mar 15, 1993	Overbrook, OK	N9689H	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASSURE THAT THE ELEVATOR TRIM WAS PROPERLY SET FOR TAKEOFF AND HIS DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF
Mar 13, 1993	LOGAN-CACHE, UT	N13008	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND INSUFFICIENT REMEDIAL ACTION. FACTORS INCLUDE A SNOW BANK NEAR THE EDGE OF THE RUNWAY.
Mar 08, 1993	OGDEN, UT	N1628C	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE SOFT TERRAIN, EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED, AND CROSSW… THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE SOFT TERRAIN, EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED, AND CROSSWINDS.
Mar 06, 1993	ROMEO, MI	N20043	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.
Mar 03, 1993	HOUSTON, TX	N8071E	Incident	substantial	FUEL STARVATION POWER LOSS DUE TO CARBURETOR RESTRICTION FROM A FOREIGN OBJECT, THE INADEQUATE INSPECTION AND IMPROPER OVERHAUL OF THE CARBURETOR BY O… FUEL STARVATION POWER LOSS DUE TO CARBURETOR RESTRICTION FROM A FOREIGN OBJECT, THE INADEQUATE INSPECTION AND IMPROPER OVERHAUL OF THE CARBURETOR BY OTHER MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL
Mar 02, 1993	MANISTIQUE, MI	N8275L	Incident	substantial	AN EXCESSIVE TAXI SPEED.
Feb 28, 1993	SALEM, OR	N12698	Incident	substantial	THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE OIL PUMP IMPELLER.
Feb 27, 1993	GRAIN VALLEY, MO	N64425	Incident	substantial	THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.
Feb 25, 1993	JACKSON, MI	N46460	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.
Feb 13, 1993	WEEPING WATER, NE	N6640A	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF WHEN THE AIRPLANE FIRST TOUCHED DOWN ON THE CLEAR AREA ADJACENT TO THE DEPARTURE RUNWAY.
Feb 10, 1993	WHITE PLAINS, NY	N6433V	Incident	substantial	THE COLLAPSE OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON.
Feb 09, 1993	PLYMOUTH, FL	N79563	Incident	substantial	UNDETECTED DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR BRAKE LINE WHICH DEVELOPED A LEAK AND RESULTED IN FAILURE OF THE BRAKE. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRE… UNDETECTED DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR BRAKE LINE WHICH DEVELOPED A LEAK AND RESULTED IN FAILURE OF THE BRAKE. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, OR STOP THE AIRCRAFT, PRIOR TO COLLIDING WITH AIRCRAFT PARKED TO THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.
Feb 04, 1993	VALLEY POINT, WV	N9839V	Incident	substantial	THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAKE A REJECTED LANDING WHEN THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO DECELERATE PROPERLY. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE… THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAKE A REJECTED LANDING WHEN THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO DECELERATE PROPERLY. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO CLOSE THE THROTTLE UPON TOUCHDOWN.
Jan 30, 1993	SLAYTON, MN	N2440U	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE CROSSWIND CONDITION. THE CROSSWIND WAS A FACTOR.
Jan 27, 1993	BEDFORD, PA	N5262H	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN A CROSS WIND, LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, LANDED OFF THE RUNWAY, SWERVED TOWARDS A HANGER AFTER GOING THREW A SNOW BA… THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN A CROSS WIND, LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, LANDED OFF THE RUNWAY, SWERVED TOWARDS A HANGER AFTER GOING THREW A SNOW BANK RESULTING IN THE LEFT WING STRIKING THE HANGER.

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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