How many accidents has the Cessna 172B had?

The NTSB has recorded 70 events involving the Cessna 172B: 6 fatal, 10 serious, 14 minor injuries, and 40 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 172B a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 172B has 70 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 172B Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 70 events recorded from 1982 to 2023.

All Events

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (10 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Jun 17, 2023	San Angelo, TX	N7509X	Incident	substantial	A partial loss of engine power due to loose bolts holding the carburetor throttle body to the fuel bowl.
May 29, 2023	Divide, CO	N8098X	Minor	substantial	A loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined.
Jul 07, 2022	Silver Springs, NV	N7609X	Minor	substantial	A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Feb 24, 2021	Winchester, VA	N7832X	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s delayed use of carburetor heat, which resulted in carburetor icing and a subsequent total loss of engine power.
Dec 28, 2016	Prairie Du Sac, WI	N6941X	Incident	substantial	The pilot's decision to taxi the airplane from the roadway and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from signs and a fence after a successful … The pilot's decision to taxi the airplane from the roadway and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from signs and a fence after a successful emergency landing following a total loss of engine power.
Oct 03, 2015	Redding, CA	N7837X	Serious (1)	substantial	The pilot’s improper decision to land the airplane on a short runway with a tailwind and his subsequent delayed decision to abort the landing.
Jun 13, 2014	Frankfort, KY	N7540X	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in crosswind conditions, resulting in a loss of control and runway excursion.
Mar 22, 2014	Mt Olive, NC	N8988B	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to adequately secure the airplane before hand-propping the engine for startup.
Sep 08, 2013	Shellman Bluff, GA	N7619X	Incident	substantial	An inadvertent collision with a deer during landing.
Aug 18, 2013	Sisters, OR	N8141X	Incident	substantial	A loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because the engine was not properly preserved to prevent corrosio… A loss of engine power during cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because the engine was not properly preserved to prevent corrosion after the wreckage was recovered from the lake.
Sep 23, 2012	Atlantic Ocean, AO	N8059X	Fatal (1)	substantial	The pilot’s suicidal act.
Jun 09, 2012	San Andreas, CA	N7458X	Minor	substantial	A loss of engine power in cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any a… A loss of engine power in cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Jul 23, 2011	Middleton, WI	N7624X	Incident	substantial	The total loss of engine power during climb after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any… The total loss of engine power during climb after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Sep 29, 2010	Oconomowoc, WI	N7560X	Incident	substantial	The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing the float-equipped airplane on a turf runway.
Aug 14, 2007	Seattle, WA	N7657X	Incident	substantial	The private pilot's failure to see the approaching large wake swell, both during his landing and the subsequent takeoff, and the failure of the instru… The private pilot's failure to see the approaching large wake swell, both during his landing and the subsequent takeoff, and the failure of the instructor pilot to insure that the private pilot's visual lookout was effective enough to detect the oncoming wake. Factors include a wake generated by a large boat.
Aug 07, 2007	Sisters, OR	N7604X	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees.
Apr 19, 2007	Los Angeles, CA	N7546X	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during performance of a go around, resulting in an inadvertent stall and in-flight collision with th… The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during performance of a go around, resulting in an inadvertent stall and in-flight collision with the ground.
Feb 15, 2007	Stephenville, TX	N2629U	Minor	substantial	The loss of engine power during the landing approach due to the pilot's failure to follow the appropriate procedures to preclude carburetor ice in kno… The loss of engine power during the landing approach due to the pilot's failure to follow the appropriate procedures to preclude carburetor ice in known carburetor icing conditions.
Apr 16, 2005	Collegeville, PA	N7653X	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadvertent encounter with a downdraft, which resulted in a collision with trees. A factor related to the accident was the downdraft wind… The pilot's inadvertent encounter with a downdraft, which resulted in a collision with trees. A factor related to the accident was the downdraft wind conditions.
Mar 07, 2005	South Naknek, AK	N7871X	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during taxi after landing, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. A factor associated wi… The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during taxi after landing, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. A factor associated with the accident was the gusty wind condition.
Mar 06, 2005	Princeton, KY	N8211X	Minor	substantial	A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons over unsuitable terrain.
Nov 21, 2004	Zephyrhills, FL	N7493X	Serious (1)	substantial	The pilot's failure to set the parking brake and his improper starting procedure which resulted in an unattended aircraft running away after hand star… The pilot's failure to set the parking brake and his improper starting procedure which resulted in an unattended aircraft running away after hand starting the engine and the airplane colliding with parked airplanes, incurring substantial damage.
Sep 12, 2004	Wiscasset, ME	N7422X	Incident	substantial	The failure of the oil filter adapter seal, which resulted in a loss of oil pressure, and subsequent catastrophic engine failure, and forced landing.
May 26, 2003	Little River, CA	N7555X	Fatal (1)	destroyed	Aircraft is missing.
Mar 26, 2003	Tulsa, OK	N6947X	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall.

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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Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data

Cessna 172B Safety Record

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