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
Jul 01, 2021	Missoula, MT	N2388L	Fatal (2)	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed and exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altit… The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed and exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at an altitude too low for recovery.
Jun 25, 2021	Mount Pocono, PA	N5185U	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s loss of aircraft control following a bounced landing.
Jun 20, 2021	Moose Creek Ranger Station, ID	N79523	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s improper landing flare which resulted in a bounced hard landing and subsequent nose over.
Jun 18, 2021	Jupiter, FL	N2797E	Serious (1)	substantial	The flight instructor’s failure to obtain the proper touchdown point during a forced landing. Contributing to the accident was the improper service an… The flight instructor’s failure to obtain the proper touchdown point during a forced landing. Contributing to the accident was the improper service and subsequent inadequate inspection of the single-drive, dual magneto, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
Jun 17, 2021	Clarksville, TN	N35585	Incident	substantial	The flight instructor’s inadequate remedial action during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Jun 13, 2021	Groton, CT	N430EP	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing, resulting in a runway excursion and collision with an airport sign… The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing, resulting in a runway excursion and collision with an airport sign.
Jun 12, 2021	Fields, OR	N20406	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing on a highway, which resulted in an impact with terrain and subsequent nose over.
Jun 11, 2021	Yelm, WA	N513WF	Incident	substantial	A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Jun 10, 2021	Saint James, LA	N365CP	Incident	substantial	The in-flight fatigue failure of an air-conditioning system hose which resulted in a precautionary landing and impact with a road sign.
Jun 02, 2021	Washington, CA	N3871L	Incident	substantial	A total loss of engine power during an enroute climb due to a stuck exhaust valve and multiple failed piston compression rings.
May 31, 2021	Mitungyy-Meru, KE	5Y-CFE	Fatal (2)	destroyed	Investigation pending
May 22, 2021	McAllen, TX	N999MA	Minor	substantial	The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a runway sign.
May 18, 2021	Guatemela, GT	TG-AER	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
May 16, 2021	Finca El Estanco – Municipio de Tenjo, Cundinamrca, CO	HK4418G	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
May 14, 2021	Daytona Beach, FL	N62568	Minor	substantial	Both pilots’ failure to maintain control during the landing flare and the flight instructor’s failure to maintain control during an attempted go-aroun… Both pilots’ failure to maintain control during the landing flare and the flight instructor’s failure to maintain control during an attempted go-around, in gusting quartering headwind conditions, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall at low altitude.
May 13, 2021	Gulf Shores, AL	N5170K	Incident	substantial	The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in a loss of control during an attempted go-around.
May 12, 2021	Johnson City, TN	N6344E	Incident	substantial	The student pilot’s excessive airspeed during the landing approach and his delayed remedial action, which resulted in the airplane striking obstacles … The student pilot’s excessive airspeed during the landing approach and his delayed remedial action, which resulted in the airplane striking obstacles during an aborted landing. Contributing was the pilot’s decision to land with a tailwind.
May 11, 2021	Chandler, AZ	N47AF	Serious (1)	substantial	The pilot’s failure to locate the airport which resulted in an approach to a road and subsequent collision with powerlines during a go-around in low l… The pilot’s failure to locate the airport which resulted in an approach to a road and subsequent collision with powerlines during a go-around in low light conditions.
May 09, 2021	Kempten, GE	D-EJWO	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
May 08, 2021	Tucson, AZ	N54140	Incident	substantial	The student pilot’s improper pitch control and landing flare, which resulted in a hard bounce and subsequent porpoised landing.
May 08, 2021	Miami, FL	N9795B	Incident	substantial	The collapse of the left main landing gear for reasons that could not be determined.
May 05, 2021	Lewiston, ID	N733BT	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during taxiing in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a taxiway excursion and collision with a… The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during taxiing in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a taxiway excursion and collision with a fence.
May 02, 2021	Cuba, NM	N9127B	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain lateral control during takeoff after an encounter with a gusting wind, which resulted in a wing strike.
May 02, 2021	Martinsville, VA	N1089D	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s improper pitch control during a go-around in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a tail strike and a runway excursion.
May 01, 2021	Lanai City, HI	N3929	Minor	substantial	The solo student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and a no… The solo student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and a nose-over.

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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