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 21, 2016	Willoughby, OH	N516TG	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to reduce pitch attitude during a simulated engine failure during takeoff initial climb, resulting in a high descent rate … The student pilot's failure to reduce pitch attitude during a simulated engine failure during takeoff initial climb, resulting in a high descent rate and hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's delayed remedial action during the simulated engine failure.
Feb 17, 2016	Newport News, VA	N35502	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, resulting in a runway excursion and impact with terrain.
Feb 03, 2016	San Diego, CA	N1955L	Incident	minor	The failure of the flight instructor of the other airplane to maintain awareness while parked on the ramp with the engine operating, which resulted in… The failure of the flight instructor of the other airplane to maintain awareness while parked on the ramp with the engine operating, which resulted in impact with the parked airplane.
Jan 31, 2016	La Junta, CO	N2567U	Incident	substantial	The pilot's decision to take off with a tailwind, and exceed the critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with the … The pilot's decision to take off with a tailwind, and exceed the critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with the ground.
Jan 31, 2016	Merritt Island, FL	N35079	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's improper flare which resulted in a porpoise, runway excursion, and nose over.
Jan 12, 2016	Dothan, AL	N417ER	Incident	substantial	The pilot-rated student's hard landing, which resulted in fuselage damage.
Jan 05, 2016	Sulfur Springs, TX	N72AF	Incident	substantial	The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Jan 02, 2016	Newton, IA	N947SP	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during the takeoff, resulting in a runway excursion, and airplane nose over.
Dec 29, 2015	Cascais, PO	G-CHZI	Incident	minor	Investigation pending
Dec 26, 2015	Punta Gorda, FL	N4776E	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance while taxiing on the ramp, resulting in a collision with an object.
Dec 03, 2015	Boca Raton, FL	N5185D	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing touchdown resulting in a runway excursion, a collision with an object, and an i… The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing touchdown resulting in a runway excursion, a collision with an object, and an impact with terrain.
Nov 27, 2015	Manley Hot Springs, AK	N7176A	Incident	substantial	The pilot's decision to depart from an unsuitable, off-airport site, which resulted in a collision with a tree.
Nov 24, 2015	Gaithersburg, MD	N52632	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's improper flare during landing, which resulted in a bounced landing, and a runway excursion.
Nov 22, 2015	Covington, TN	N5786R	Incident	substantial	The pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion, ground loop, and impact… The pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion, ground loop, and impact with the ground.
Nov 20, 2015	Rush City, MN	N1180U	Incident	substantial	The student pilot did not maintain directional control of the airplane and applied excessive right rudder during landing.
Nov 16, 2015	Westminster, MD	N26499	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing, which resulted in a hard landing.
Nov 09, 2015	Newfane, NY	N3679L	Incident	substantial	An evasive maneuver during landing to avoid deer on the runway, which resulted in a runway overrun and collision with trees.
Nov 09, 2015	Miami, FL	N97277	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Nov 07, 2015	Mesa, AZ	N1107G	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during landing, resulting in a porpoise, and firewall damage.
Nov 05, 2015	Alcoa, TN	N905CP	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to identify the taxiway, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain while turning off the runway at night.
Oct 11, 2015	Miami Beach, FL	N733VB	Incident	substantial	A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because the airplane was not recovered from the ocean after the ditching.
Oct 02, 2015	McMinnville, OR	N20488	Incident	substantial	The flight instructor's failure to correct the student pilot's approach path during the final approach, which resulted in a collision with runway thre… The flight instructor's failure to correct the student pilot's approach path during the final approach, which resulted in a collision with runway threshold lights. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's failure to attain and maintain the recommended approach path.
Oct 01, 2015	Avalon, CA	N4286Q	Incident	substantial	The pilot's exceedance of the critical angle of attack in turbulent and downdraft conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision wit… The pilot's exceedance of the critical angle of attack in turbulent and downdraft conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain on final approach.
Sep 20, 2015	Shiocton, WI	N20079	Incident	substantial	The pilot's decision to continue to land at an unlighted airstrip, at night, after the landing light failed on approach, which resulted in a bounced l… The pilot's decision to continue to land at an unlighted airstrip, at night, after the landing light failed on approach, which resulted in a bounced landing, runway excursion, and collision with terrain.
Sep 16, 2015	Herington, KS	N909HC	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing roll, which resulted in a porpoise.

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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