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
Jun 26, 2008	El Cajon, CA	N6360D	Incident	substantial	The loss of engine power due to carburetor ice resulting from the flight instructor's failure to use the carburetor heat when simulating an engine fai… The loss of engine power due to carburetor ice resulting from the flight instructor's failure to use the carburetor heat when simulating an engine failure. Contributing to the accident were the carburetor icing weather condition and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Jun 25, 2008	Stevensville, MD	N3504X	Incident	substantial	The flight instructor's delayed decision to go around.
Jun 24, 2008	San Diego, CA	N9629V	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a touch-and-go landing.
Jun 21, 2008	Tishomingo, OK	N5178Y	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, resulting in an inadvertent stall during the landing flare. Contributing factors in this accident wa… The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, resulting in an inadvertent stall during the landing flare. Contributing factors in this accident was the terrain-induced turbulence, and the instructor's inadequate supervision of the pilot.
Jun 20, 2008	Orangeburg, SC	N65357	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point on landing.
Jun 19, 2008	Lancaster, PA	N52632	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout.
Jun 13, 2008	Daytona Beach, FL	N65939	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's improper flare.
Jun 11, 2008	Cincinnati, OH	N31SZ	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a building during taxi. A factor was the building.
Jun 09, 2008	Byron, CA	N9328H	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout.
Jun 09, 2008	Athens, OH	N230U	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. A factor contributing to the accident was a nose wheel vibration.
Jun 06, 2008	Byron, CA	N73403	Incident	substantial	The flight instructor's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, and his inadequate supervision of the student pilot. Factors contributing to … The flight instructor's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, and his inadequate supervision of the student pilot. Factors contributing to the accident were a sudden wind shift and wind gusts.
Jun 05, 2008	Anchorage, AK	N9752B	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing. Contributing to the accident was a crosswind.
Jun 04, 2008	Bremerton, WA	N52807	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
May 28, 2008	San Antonio, TX	N9144H	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an object while taxiing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's diverted attention and a vehicl… The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an object while taxiing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's diverted attention and a vehicle.
May 26, 2008	Sells, AZ	N2857E	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing and failure to maintain proper runway alignment.
May 24, 2008	Kissimmee, FL	N716SP	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper landing flare.
May 24, 2008	Blue Ash, OH	N75528	Incident	substantial	The separation of the throttle cable from the linkage during the approach to land and the altitude/clearance not being available to the pilot during t… The separation of the throttle cable from the linkage during the approach to land and the altitude/clearance not being available to the pilot during the forced landing. Contributing to the accident was the electrical wires the airplane impacted.
May 24, 2008	Troutdale, OR	N62348	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in collision with a runway light.
May 23, 2008	Savannah, GA	N73471	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control on landing touchdown with a crosswind.
May 20, 2008	Palo Alto, CA	N6521J	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
May 17, 2008	Rose Bud, AR	N5350K	Incident	substantial	The pilot landed long and collided with a fence.
May 14, 2008	Hampton, NJ	N9882Q	Incident	substantial	A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
May 13, 2008	Jamestown, PA	N9822T	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain control after takeoff resulting in contact with the ground. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate pr… The pilot's failure to maintain control after takeoff resulting in contact with the ground. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning resulting in a takeoff from a short, wet, soft, runway.
May 11, 2008	Brookshire, TX	N3870R	Incident	substantial	The pilot's decision to duck under marked transmission lines and his failure to maintain clearance from the fence. Contributing to the accident was th… The pilot's decision to duck under marked transmission lines and his failure to maintain clearance from the fence. Contributing to the accident was the marked transmission lines.
May 10, 2008	Chugiak, AK	N7598T	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was an inadvertent ground loop/swerve.

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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