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 26, 1998	RUTLAND, VT	N5593E	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and a forced landing. Related factors were… the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and a forced landing. Related factors were: unfavorable (headwind) conditions, and brush/small trees in the forced landing area.
Feb 25, 1998	EL PASO, TX	N2526U	Incident	substantial	The pilots improper compensation for the wind conditions and his failure to maintain control of the aircraft. A factor was the high wind condition.
Feb 19, 1998	ST. PETERSBURG, FL	N1430F	Incident	substantial	a sudden encounter with wind gusts associated with a quickly passing rain shower which resulted in a nose-over, and subsequent collision with the runw… a sudden encounter with wind gusts associated with a quickly passing rain shower which resulted in a nose-over, and subsequent collision with the runway.
Feb 06, 1998	DAYTONA BEACH, FL	N406ER	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper use of ailerons and brakes on landing rollout.
Feb 04, 1998	BULVERDE, TX	N13711	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain the proper glidepath following a total electrical failure resulting from an inoperative voltage regulator. Factors wer… The pilot's failure to maintain the proper glidepath following a total electrical failure resulting from an inoperative voltage regulator. Factors were the dark night conditions, the pilot's lack of experience in night flying, and the trees.
Feb 01, 1998	OXFORD, MA	N78222	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control.
Jan 31, 1998	VALKARIA, FL	N6261E	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate preflight, and subsequent loss of engine power, due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted in a forced landing and impact with tree… the pilot's inadequate preflight, and subsequent loss of engine power, due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted in a forced landing and impact with trees.
Jan 31, 1998	VALDOSTA, GA	N738YK	Incident	substantial	The failure of the student to recover (pull-up) from the intentional maneuver resulting in the in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing to the … The failure of the student to recover (pull-up) from the intentional maneuver resulting in the in-flight collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the ostentatious display by the student.
Jan 30, 1998	LARAMIE, WY	N6926A	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper flare and subsequent improper go-around in that he failed to use compensating elevator control, and his loss of directional contr… The pilot's improper flare and subsequent improper go-around in that he failed to use compensating elevator control, and his loss of directional control.
Jan 04, 1998	BLUE BELL, PA	N5135R	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point, and his failure to make a go-around, while there was sufficient runway remaining.
Jan 02, 1998	AUGUSTA, ME	N9912L	Incident	substantial	The inadequate lookout of the pilot in command.
Dec 30, 1997	VAN NUYS, CA	N5404V	Incident	substantial	The student and flight instructor's failure to verify that the landing gear was in the down position, and the design of the electrical system in which… The student and flight instructor's failure to verify that the landing gear was in the down position, and the design of the electrical system in which a single-point aircraft system malfunction (one open circuit breaker) disabled both the landing gear warning system and the main gear downlock switches.
Dec 08, 1997	MITCHELLVILLE, MD	N99510	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Dec 06, 1997	HENDERSON, NC	N172MT	Incident	substantial	The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Nov 28, 1997	SAN JOSE, CA	N739HE	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate airspeed and proper rate of descent, and his misjudged landing flare, which led to an uncontrol… the student pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate airspeed and proper rate of descent, and his misjudged landing flare, which led to an uncontrolled porpoise and eventual collapse of the landing gear.
Nov 24, 1997	WATKINS, CO	N738LC	Incident	substantial	loss of engine power for undertermined reason(s).
Nov 24, 1997	MESQUITE, TX	N80831	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, while landing. The gusty crosswi… the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, while landing. The gusty crosswind was a related factor.
Nov 12, 1997	SAN DIEGO, CA	N9451D	Incident	substantial	Overload of the main gear actuator piston and the subsequent collapse of the landing gear.
Nov 08, 1997	NAPLES, FL	N97074	Incident	substantial	Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Nov 05, 1997	SAN DIEGO, CA	N98483	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a hangar while taxiing.
Nov 03, 1997	CRYSTAL RIVER, FL	N4105F	Incident	substantial	The certified flight instructors improper supervision of the rated pilot during a crosswind landing resulting in an in-flight collision with the left … The certified flight instructors improper supervision of the rated pilot during a crosswind landing resulting in an in-flight collision with the left wing of the airplane and the runway, subsequent loss of directional control on landing rollout, and collision with an embankment.
Nov 02, 1997	ELK CITY, OK	N5745R	Incident	substantial	The high winds and the pilot's poor judgment in attempting to taxi in the existing wind conditions.
Nov 02, 1997	PAYSON, AZ	N6585D	Incident	substantial	The pilot's selection of a downwind direction to land and his failure to compensate for the quartering tailwind condition.
Nov 01, 1997	TOOELE, UT	N96575	Incident	substantial	failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane, while landing. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's improper flare… failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane, while landing. Factors related to the accident were: the pilot's improper flare for landing, his delay in attempting to go around (abort the landing), and the encounter with a runway marker and a fence.
Oct 30, 1997	SALISBURY, MD	N1487V	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing.

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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