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
Jan 29, 2018	Babylon, NY	N294ME	Incident	substantial	The partial loss of engine power after a simulated engine failure for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident examination and an e… The partial loss of engine power after a simulated engine failure for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident examination and an engine test run did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Jan 26, 2018	Silver City, NM	N1046F	Incident	substantial	The student pilot’s improper landing flare in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.
Jan 24, 2018	McKinney, TX	N9520Z	Incident	substantial	The student pilot’s improper approach and landing flare, which resulted in a porpoised landing.
Jan 21, 2018	Martinsburg, WV	N9415B	Incident	substantial	A hydraulic leak in the right main landing gear actuator, which resulted in the main landing gear not extending.
Dec 21, 2017	Monroe, MI	N4491R	Incident	substantial	The student pilot’s improper yaw control during the landing flare and the flight instructor’s failure to take remedial action, which resulted in a har… The student pilot’s improper yaw control during the landing flare and the flight instructor’s failure to take remedial action, which resulted in a hard landing.
Dec 09, 2017	Algona, IA	N8856B	Incident	substantial	The No. 1 cylinder head separating at the cylinder head-to-barrel interface and the subsequent total loss of engine power.
Dec 08, 2017	Everett, WA	N4801D	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s decision to abort the takeoff following a touch-and-go landing with too little runway remaining, which resulted in a runway overrun.
Dec 07, 2017	Auburn, WA	N2351U	Incident	substantial	The pilot's loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Dec 02, 2017	Park Rapids, MN	N524ND	Incident	substantial	The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in the propeller striking the ground.
Dec 02, 2017	Huntingdon, TN	N9730F	Incident	substantial	A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident engine examination and testing revealed no preimpact mech… A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident engine examination and testing revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Dec 01, 2017	Miami, FL	N537HF	Incident	substantial	The pilot's decision to continue the landing after a loss of visual cues during a night landing.
Nov 30, 2017	Bowie, MD	N474SP	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain situational awareness during the approach to land. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction by the ins… The pilot’s failure to maintain situational awareness during the approach to land. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction by the instrument panel during the approach.
Nov 26, 2017	Daytona Beach, FL	N452ER	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, bounced landing.
Nov 22, 2017	Maple Lake, MN	N734VH	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Nov 20, 2017	San Diego, CA	N172SX	Incident	substantial	An in-flight collision with a bird.
Nov 16, 2017	Opa Locka, FL	N6102R	Incident	substantial	A failure of the airplane 's electrical system, which led to the failure of the landing gear system, for reasons that could not be determined because … A failure of the airplane 's electrical system, which led to the failure of the landing gear system, for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination and testing revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident were the inoperative landing gear unsafe warning horn and the low voltage warning light.
Nov 16, 2017	Pompano, FL	N75919	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a porpoise.
Nov 09, 2017	Trenton, NJ	N2138W	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing.
Nov 07, 2017	Bonners Ferry, ID	N55234	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to see and avoid power lines while maneuvering at a low altitude.
Nov 02, 2017	Redding, CA	N2103T	Incident	substantial	The fatigue separation of the crankshaft due to a fatigue fracture, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and a subsequent off-airport landin… The fatigue separation of the crankshaft due to a fatigue fracture, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and a subsequent off-airport landing and impact with a fence.
Oct 17, 2017	Old Bridge, NJ	N6384D	Incident	substantial	The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Oct 15, 2017	Auburn, WA	N5159U	Incident	substantial	The failure of the right main landing gear for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that… The failure of the right main landing gear for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Oct 08, 2017	Black River Falls, WI	N9664Q	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting crosswind conditions.
Oct 02, 2017	Tonopah, NV	N5311H	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to enrich the mixture during the descent, as required by the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH), and his subsequent failure to follo… The pilot's failure to enrich the mixture during the descent, as required by the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH), and his subsequent failure to follow the POH emergency procedures, which resulted in an excessively lean fuel/air mixture and subsequent loss of rpm. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to land on unsuitable terrain despite the availability of two nearby airports.
Sep 25, 2017	Tamuning, USA	N5448K	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in oil exhaustion and a subsequent total loss of engine power during cruise flight.

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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