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
Nov 28, 2018	St. Petersburg, FL	N54058	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to remove the gust lock before flight, which resulted in the airplane’s inability to rotate and a subsequent runway overrun. Contr… The pilot's failure to remove the gust lock before flight, which resulted in the airplane’s inability to rotate and a subsequent runway overrun. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow the preflight checklist.
Nov 27, 2018	Whittier, AK	N7207A	Minor	destroyed	A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Nov 20, 2018	Colorado Springs, CO	N27LA	Minor	substantial	The pilot's decision to perform a touch-and-go landing at a high-density altitude airport, with a tailwind, and on an upsloping runway, which resulted… The pilot's decision to perform a touch-and-go landing at a high-density altitude airport, with a tailwind, and on an upsloping runway, which resulted in decreased airplane performance and the airplane’s inability to become airborne within the available runway.
Nov 12, 2018	Piseco, NY	N738VK	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing, which resulted in impact with a snow pile and necessitated a go-around, during which the airpl… The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing, which resulted in impact with a snow pile and necessitated a go-around, during which the airplane impacted trees.
Nov 01, 2018	Cleburne, TX	N3984L	Minor	substantial	The pilot's improper preflight fuel planning and in-flight fuel management, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent total loss of engine … The pilot's improper preflight fuel planning and in-flight fuel management, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent total loss of engine power.
Aug 27, 2018	Rushville, IN	N4379L	Minor	substantial	Loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat in weather conditions conducive to carburetor icing.
Aug 22, 2018	Shreveport, LA	N4275Q	Minor	substantial	The student pilot's overshoot of the runway, which resulted from her misperception of an engine issue due to her failure to maintain proper pitch cont… The student pilot's overshoot of the runway, which resulted from her misperception of an engine issue due to her failure to maintain proper pitch control during initial climb.
Aug 15, 2018	Silver City, NM	N1543Y	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing with a quartering tailwind.
Aug 04, 2018	Dowagiac, MI	N8994V	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain bank control during takeoff.
Jul 29, 2018	North Fox Island, MI	N6021A	Minor	substantial	The Extra pilot’s failure to see and avoid the Cessna, which resulted in an in-flight collision. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the E… The Extra pilot’s failure to see and avoid the Cessna, which resulted in an in-flight collision. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the Extra pilot to tune his radio to the correct frequency, which resulted in no common traffic advisories being heard or recognized as relevant by either pilot.
Jul 28, 2018	Mount Vernon, OH	N785SP	Minor	destroyed	An in-flight fuel-fed fire from an unknown source for reasons that could not be determined due to the extensive fire damage to the airplane.
Jul 05, 2018	King and Queen, VA	N1401F	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent total loss of engine power.
Jun 26, 2018	Phoenix, AZ	N154ME	Minor	substantial	A total loss of engine power due to crankshaft failure as the result of a subsurface fatigue crack.
Jun 03, 2018	San Diego, CA	N786SA	Minor	—	The biplane pilot’s failure to see and avoid the stopped airplane.
May 14, 2018	Nooksack, WA	N4144L	Minor	destroyed	The pilot’s improper approach in tailwind conditions, which resulted in long landing and subsequent runway overrun.
May 02, 2018	Port Angeles, WA	N734QQ	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a turn away from terrain, which resulted in an accelerated stall. Contributin… The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a turn away from terrain, which resulted in an accelerated stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to delay the turn to avoid terrain.
Apr 30, 2018	Hamilton, BD	N9085H	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Apr 05, 2018	Livermore, CA	N1438U	Minor	substantial	The student pilot’s failure to maintain runway centerline and flight instructor’s delayed remedial action during landing.
Mar 23, 2018	Beaver Falls, PA	N987AV	Minor	substantial	The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Feb 28, 2018	Gatesvile, TX	N1118F	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during initial climb in a gusty condition.
Feb 19, 2018	Obyan, OF	N7328F	Minor	substantial	The pilot's inadequate preflight fuel planning and inadequate in-flight fuel monitoring which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exh… The pilot's inadequate preflight fuel planning and inadequate in-flight fuel monitoring which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and an emergency landing and subsequent impact with a ditch.
Jan 20, 2018	Cloverdale, CA	N64204	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during the approach and his delayed decision to go around.
Dec 24, 2017	Union Mills, NC	N91SP	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat in weather conditions conducive to serious carburetor icing, which resulted in a total loss of engine power… The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat in weather conditions conducive to serious carburetor icing, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and a subsequent forced landing.
Nov 25, 2017	Oloh, MS	N739KW	Minor	substantial	A partial loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 3 valve key (exhaust).
Nov 19, 2017	Chico, CA	N9678Q	Minor	substantial	An in-flight collision with a bird.

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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