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 14, 2007	Lake Wells, FL	N289SP	Incident	substantial	the flight instructor's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind conditions.
Feb 11, 2007	Pinckneyville, IL	N9478E	Incident	substantial	Presence of a deer on the runway resulting in an inadvertent collision during the landing roll.
Feb 08, 2007	Daytona Beach, FL	N9395B	Incident	substantial	The fracture and failure of the right landing gear actuator, which resulted in a gear collapse during the landing roll.
Jan 27, 2007	Sanford, FL	N20956	Incident	substantial	The inadvertent inflight collision with a bird resulting in damage to the airplane and the pilot having limited control capability.
Jan 26, 2007	Olathe, KS	N2621Z	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper flare during landing and failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Factors were the gusting winds and the … The pilot's improper flare during landing and failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Factors were the gusting winds and the crosswinds.
Jan 23, 2007	Beaver Marsh, OR	N2599U	Incident	substantial	The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Jan 10, 2007	Lancaster, CA	N534SP	Incident	substantial	The reason for the loss of directional control was undetermined.
Jan 03, 2007	Alton, IL	N364MA	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in the airplane impacting a runway sign. A factor in the accident was … The student pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in the airplane impacting a runway sign. A factor in the accident was the student pilot's misjudged landing flare.
Dec 31, 2006	Spicewood, TX	N988SP	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to compensate for the existing wind conditions resulting in a loss of directional control. Factors were the gusty crosswind and th… The pilot's failure to compensate for the existing wind conditions resulting in a loss of directional control. Factors were the gusty crosswind and the muddy terrain.
Dec 27, 2006	Tulsa, OK	N159RA	Incident	destroyed	The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a hangar and parked airplane during the unauthorized use of an airplane.
Dec 27, 2006	Houston, TX	N172BP	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to compensate for the existing wind conditions during the landing roll resulting in a loss of control. A contributing factor was … The pilot's failure to compensate for the existing wind conditions during the landing roll resulting in a loss of control. A contributing factor was the crosswind.
Dec 24, 2006	Cottonwood Fall, KS	N4811G	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the fence. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability to properly identify the runway envir… the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the fence. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability to properly identify the runway environment, and the improper in-flight decision to initiate a go-around.
Dec 17, 2006	Bonners Ferry, ID	N19698	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing factors include icy runway conditions and a snow berm adjac… The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing factors include icy runway conditions and a snow berm adjacent to the runway.
Dec 11, 2006	Laurel, MT	N6501V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent nose over… The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent nose over. A contributing factor was the crosswind condition.
Dec 10, 2006	Northhampton, MA	N9421Z	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
Dec 08, 2006	Lake in the Hil, IL	N913MA	Incident	substantial	The directional control not maintained/obtained by the pilot, and the lack of recent experience by the pilot. The snow bank was a contributing factor… The directional control not maintained/obtained by the pilot, and the lack of recent experience by the pilot. The snow bank was a contributing factor.
Nov 25, 2006	Reidsville, NC	N172LF	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing roll, which resulted in an on ground collision with trees.
Nov 22, 2006	Spring, TX	N81HT	Incident	substantial	Loss of directional control for undetermined reasons.
Nov 20, 2006	San Diego, CA	N28RJ	Incident	substantial	An undetermined total electrical failure. The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear to the down and locked position was a factor.
Nov 19, 2006	New Smyrna, FL	N53095	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Nov 17, 2006	Ankeny, IA	N1374F	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper decision to land on an unlighted runway at night, and her resulting failure to attain a proper touchdown point leading to the lan… The pilot's improper decision to land on an unlighted runway at night, and her resulting failure to attain a proper touchdown point leading to the landing over run. Contributing factors were the night (low light) condition and the ditch encountered during the overrun.
Nov 16, 2006	Seattle, WA	N9522S	Incident	—	The instructor pilot's improper in-flight decision not to take evasive action as a heavy aircraft passed by while on an upwind parallel approach path … The instructor pilot's improper in-flight decision not to take evasive action as a heavy aircraft passed by while on an upwind parallel approach path to an adjacent runway, leading to a wake vortices encounter. Factors include a nearly direct crosswind blowing from the heavy aircraft toward the incident aircraft.
Nov 04, 2006	Dalton, GA	N4368L	Incident	destroyed	The pilot's improper starting procedures, which resulted in an on-ground engine fire.
Oct 31, 2006	Richfield, UT	N2097G	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's inability to compensate for the gusty crosswinds during the initial part of the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of control … The student pilot's inability to compensate for the gusty crosswinds during the initial part of the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of control and a noseover. Factors associated with the accident are gusty crosswinds, and a mound/berm of dirt alongside the runway.
Oct 31, 2006	Wakefield, VA	N20931	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain control during the landing. A factor to the accident was the wind gusts.

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.

← Cessna 172 For Sale All Cessna Models

Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data

Looking to buy a Cessna 172? View 423 Cessna 172 for sale ↓

Cessna 172 Safety Record

Report an Issue