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
May 20, 2002	SCOTTSDALE, AZ	N3547H	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and failure to maintain directional control on the landing roll, which resulted in a coll… the student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and failure to maintain directional control on the landing roll, which resulted in a collision with a runway sign.
May 11, 2002	Fairbanks, AK	N6475E	Incident	substantial	The pilots improper starting procedure. Factors associated with the accident are the continued operation of the airplane with a known mechanical defi… The pilots improper starting procedure. Factors associated with the accident are the continued operation of the airplane with a known mechanical deficiency, and failure to use wheel chocks and/or tie-down rope/straps to restrain the airplane during the engine starting procedure.
May 03, 2002	Redfield, SD	N6422E	Incident	substantial	the failure of the pilot to maintain directional control while taxing to takeoff in high and gusty wind conditions.
Apr 28, 2002	Daytona Beach, FL	N786SP	Incident	substantial	the pilot misjudged the landing flare, resulting in a hard landing, and damage to the airplane.
Apr 24, 2002	Alamogordo, NM	N6288R	Incident	substantial	the loss of engine power for an undetermined reason, which resulted in a forced landing after takeoff.
Apr 21, 2002	Ehrhardt, SC	N2815L	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to attain proper touchdown point while landing on a wet grass runway, resulting in the airplane departing the runway and impactin… the pilot's failure to attain proper touchdown point while landing on a wet grass runway, resulting in the airplane departing the runway and impacting with trees.
Apr 13, 2002	McKinney, TX	N58AF	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while taxiing from landing.
Apr 12, 2002	Longview, TX	N61LU	Incident	substantial	The in-flight collision with a bird.
Apr 10, 2002	Angel Fire, NM	N960TA	Incident	substantial	The pilots failure to maintain directional control during the crosswind landing. A contributing factor was the gusting wind condition.
Apr 10, 2002	Appleton, WI	N733PX	Incident	substantial	The pilots failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll resulting in the subsequent impact with terrain.
Apr 08, 2002	McKinney, TX	N99341	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's failure to properly recover from a bounced landing which resulted in the airplane porpoising. A contributing factor was the stude… the student pilot's failure to properly recover from a bounced landing which resulted in the airplane porpoising. A contributing factor was the student pilot's improper landing flare which resulted in a bounced landing.
Apr 05, 2002	Phoenix, AZ	N3512T	Incident	substantial	the pilot flaring the airplane too high above the runway causing a stall and resulting in the hard landing. Factors relating to the accident were the… the pilot flaring the airplane too high above the runway causing a stall and resulting in the hard landing. Factors relating to the accident were the light conditions (dusk) and the pilot's lack of total experience in the type of airplane.
Apr 04, 2002	Pensacola, FL	N64079	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind and his failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the accid… The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind and his failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to land with a tailwind.
Apr 03, 2002	PALM SPRINGS, CA	N627SP	Incident	substantial	The pilot lost directional control and collided with a runway edge light and taxiway sign.
Mar 25, 2002	Camarillo, CA	N2630U	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control.
Mar 24, 2002	OCEAN CITY, NJ	N9847L	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind and his failure to maintain directional control.
Mar 24, 2002	Avalon, CA	N61737	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate bounced landing recovery technique, which resulted in an inadvertent porpoise.
Mar 10, 2002	Tucson, AZ	N4410R	Incident	substantial	the pilot's misjudged landing flare and improper bounced landing recovery.
Mar 07, 2002	BULLHEAD CITY, AZ	N7774G	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to comply with maintenance/inspection requirements that resulted in a propeller failure.
Mar 07, 2002	Kissimmee, FL	N1446V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain the proper clearance while taxing the airplane which resulted in the left wing tip colliding with an object and damage… The pilot's failure to maintain the proper clearance while taxing the airplane which resulted in the left wing tip colliding with an object and damage to the airplane. A related factor was night conditions.
Mar 03, 2002	Longmont, CO	N5413J	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Factors included the student pilot's lack of experience, an icy runway, a… The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Factors included the student pilot's lack of experience, an icy runway, and a mound of snow adjacent to the runway.
Mar 02, 2002	Coatesville, PA	N65021	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's loss of aircraft control which resulted in a hard landing, and the CFI's delayed remedial action. Factors related to the accident… The student pilot's loss of aircraft control which resulted in a hard landing, and the CFI's delayed remedial action. Factors related to the accident were the fatigue cracks which initiated at the attachment hole on the landing gear strut, and the crosswind conditions.
Feb 25, 2002	Madera, CA	N1977F	Incident	substantial	The pilot's becoming lost/disoriented.
Feb 23, 2002	New Holstein, WI	N26105	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions which resulted in the failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors as… The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions which resulted in the failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors associated with the accident were the gusty crosswind condition and the runway marker sign which the airplane contacted.
Feb 22, 2002	Albuquerque, NM	N6845X	Incident	substantial	the pilot's delay in executing a go-around while conducting a simulated emergency landing, which resulted in an in flight collision with terrain.

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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