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 19, 2001	Alton, IL	N9532K	Incident	substantial	The misjudged flare by the pilot.
May 12, 2001	McMinnville, OR	N1264U	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions while doing a touch-and-go landing.
May 09, 2001	West Chicago, IL	N13474	Incident	substantial	The inadequate compensation for the crosswind by the student pilot. Additional factors included the student pilot's lack of total flight time, the r… The inadequate compensation for the crosswind by the student pilot. Additional factors included the student pilot's lack of total flight time, the runway sign and the crosswind.
May 09, 2001	Springfield, MO	N142ME	Incident	substantial	the excessive touchdown airspeed by the pilot.
May 06, 2001	FORT PIERCE, FL	N8664U	Incident	substantial	a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion which resulted in a forced landing, and subsequent impact with a sign and a ditch.
May 04, 2001	Patterson, LA	N5247R	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain control during the go-around. A contributing factor was the wind gust.
Apr 29, 2001	Eveleth, MN	N12891	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions which resulted in the loss of aircraft control. Factors associated with the accident… The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions which resulted in the loss of aircraft control. Factors associated with the accident were the gusty crosswind condition, the pilot's lack of experience, and the trees which were contacted.
Apr 29, 2001	Pleasanton, TX	N64776	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare/touchdown. Contributory factors were the gusty wind and the stud… the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare/touchdown. Contributory factors were the gusty wind and the student pilot's lack of total flight experience.
Apr 26, 2001	N. Little Rock, AR	N3860L	Incident	substantial	the pilot's delayed go-around on landing.
Apr 24, 2001	Renton, WA	N435SP	Incident	substantial	A Canadian goose which crossed the aircraft's flight path and impacted the left wing during the aircraft's final approach.
Apr 22, 2001	Honesdale, PA	N79210	Incident	substantial	The pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll. A factor was gusting winds.
Apr 19, 2001	Torrance, CA	N97984	Incident	substantial	The failure of the pilot-in-command to execute a proper landing flare, which resulted in an improper touchdown attitude and a subsequent loss of direc… The failure of the pilot-in-command to execute a proper landing flare, which resulted in an improper touchdown attitude and a subsequent loss of directional control. A factor in the accident was the difference between landing characteristics of the Katana and the Cessna 172, and the resulting habit interference for the pilot.
Apr 14, 2001	Gig Harbor, WA	N9551B	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to extend the airplane's landing gear while landing.
Apr 09, 2001	Lawrence, MA	N2462T	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper flare.
Apr 09, 2001	Ormond Beach, FL	N436ER	Incident	substantial	the flight instructor's inadequate supervision and the dual student's improper use of brakes which resulted in the loss of directional control and co… the flight instructor's inadequate supervision and the dual student's improper use of brakes which resulted in the loss of directional control and collision with a wind sock. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's failure to follow procedures/directives.
Apr 03, 2001	Long Beach, CA	N669SP	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's inadequate compensation for the exisiting crosswind and his improper landing flare that resulted in a hard landing, and loss of di… The student pilot's inadequate compensation for the exisiting crosswind and his improper landing flare that resulted in a hard landing, and loss of directional control during the landing roll.
Apr 01, 2001	N. Las Vegas, NV	N9572H	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition, and his failure to maintain runway alignment.
Mar 31, 2001	Rangely, CO	N54663	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper use of aileron and his failure to maintain directional control during landing. A contributing factor was the direct gusty crosswi… the pilot's improper use of aileron and his failure to maintain directional control during landing. A contributing factor was the direct gusty crosswind.
Mar 24, 2001	Waco, TX	N4823V	Incident	substantial	the failure of the number four cylinder exhaust valve which resulted in a total loss of engine power during cruise. A contributing factor was the lac… the failure of the number four cylinder exhaust valve which resulted in a total loss of engine power during cruise. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Mar 20, 2001	Stanford, CA	N6307R	Incident	substantial	Failure of company maintenance personnel to properly install and safety wire the oil filter, which subsequently lead to a loss of engine power.
Mar 20, 2001	Holland, MI	N79301	Incident	substantial	The pilot failed to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors included the soft ground and the runway lights.
Mar 14, 2001	SHOW LOW, AZ	N738PP	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control resulting in an encounter with terrain and a nose over.
Mar 08, 2001	CARTERSVILLE, GA	N651MA	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane which resulted in the airplane veering off course and subsequent impact with trees.
Mar 07, 2001	Keene, NH	N574SP	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. A factor included the patchy snow on the runway.
Mar 06, 2001	Clovis, NM	N5175F	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during take off roll resulting in a ground loop. A contributing factor was the crosswind.

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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