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, 2004	Lutz, FL	N612CB	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's misjudged landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent collapse of the nose landing gear.
Feb 19, 2004	Clewiston, FL	N124ER	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's misjudged landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing, a collapse of the nose wheel landing gear, and the airplane nosing over… The student pilot's misjudged landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing, a collapse of the nose wheel landing gear, and the airplane nosing over when it encountered a ditch.
Feb 16, 2004	Batavia, OH	N121UC	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's improper flare and improper recover from a bounced landing, which resulted in a hard landing.
Feb 15, 2004	Batavia, NY	N369WP	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. Factors were a tailwind and icy runway.
Feb 15, 2004	Riverside, CA	N262TA	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in his failure to maintain proper alignment with the taxiway. Factors in the accident were the … the pilot's inadequate visual lookout, which resulted in his failure to maintain proper alignment with the taxiway. Factors in the accident were the dusk lighting conditions and pilot not understanding the ground control taxi clearance.
Feb 14, 2004	West Dover, VT	N8880V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, and his failure to perform a go-around. Factors were wind gusts and the pilot's lack of flight expe… The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, and his failure to perform a go-around. Factors were wind gusts and the pilot's lack of flight experience.
Feb 13, 2004	Parowan, UT	N9892J	Incident	substantial	the pilot's in-flight decision/planning which resulted in fuel exhaustion. The fence and night conditions were contributing factors.
Feb 12, 2004	Easton, MD	N734AT	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Feb 07, 2004	McKinney, TX	N2124Z	Incident	destroyed	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the take-off roll.
Feb 07, 2004	Cumberland, MD	N61648	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind while landing. A factor was the crosswind.
Feb 07, 2004	Cahokia, IL	N738EJ	Incident	substantial	The inadequate supervision by the certified flight instructor which lead to the student pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the snowbank during… The inadequate supervision by the certified flight instructor which lead to the student pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the snowbank during the landing. The snowbank was a factor.
Feb 05, 2004	Fredrick, MD	N5165M	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing. A factor was the snow bank.
Jan 28, 2004	Jeffersonville, IN	N70256	Incident	substantial	The pilot selecting a closed runway for landing and the collapse of the nose landing gear. Factors were the pilot's failure to obtain NOTAM informati… The pilot selecting a closed runway for landing and the collapse of the nose landing gear. Factors were the pilot's failure to obtain NOTAM information and the snowbank across the closed runway.
Jan 25, 2004	Girdwood, AK	N1361U	Incident	substantial	The pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff, which resulted in an overrun and collision with a snowbank. A factor in the accident was an inoperative ai… The pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff, which resulted in an overrun and collision with a snowbank. A factor in the accident was an inoperative airspeed indicator.
Jan 20, 2004	Granada Hills, CA	N5364K	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power due to an inadequate fuel supply.
Jan 13, 2004	Enumclaw, WA	N64ML	Incident	substantial	A loss of engine power while maneuvering due to the failure of the heads of six of the eight cam followers. Factors include the pilot's decision to k… A loss of engine power while maneuvering due to the failure of the heads of six of the eight cam followers. Factors include the pilot's decision to keep the gear retracted during the forced landing, and the rough/uneven terrain.
Jan 03, 2004	Redlands, CA	N5184F	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing gusty crosswind condition, and his failure to maintain directional control. Contributing factors… the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing gusty crosswind condition, and his failure to maintain directional control. Contributing factors were a crosswind and wind gusts.
Jan 03, 2004	Hayfork, CA	N390BV	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate in-flight decision to attempt a landing on a snow covered runway without ascertaining the depth of the snow cover.
Dec 30, 2003	Lamentin, MB	N8547X	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Dec 29, 2003	Angels Camp, CA	N461BD	Incident	substantial	the CFI's inadequate compensation for a crosswind condition, which resulted in the loss of directional control. The crosswind and wind gusts were fac… the CFI's inadequate compensation for a crosswind condition, which resulted in the loss of directional control. The crosswind and wind gusts were factors.
Dec 27, 2003	Bluffton, OH	N363SA	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
Dec 26, 2003	Atlanta, GA	N26486	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper flare resulting in a hard landing. A factor is lack of total experience.
Dec 25, 2003	Key West, FL	N4721R	Incident	substantial	Pilot's improper emergency landing gear extension procedure which resulted in the right main landing gear not locking in the down position subsequent … Pilot's improper emergency landing gear extension procedure which resulted in the right main landing gear not locking in the down position subsequent right main landing gear collapsing on landing.
Dec 23, 2003	Lake Charles, LA	N111TK	Incident	substantial	The disintegration of the piston, which resulted in the catastrophic failure of the engine. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain fo… The disintegration of the piston, which resulted in the catastrophic failure of the engine. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Dec 08, 2003	Snelling, CA	N739SU	Incident	substantial	The total loss of engine power due to oil starvation caused by the failure of the engine driven oil pump.

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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