How many accidents has the Cessna 172E had?

The NTSB has recorded 100 events involving the Cessna 172E: 11 fatal, 9 serious, 29 minor injuries, and 51 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 172E a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 172E has 100 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 172E Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 100 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.

100

All Events

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (18 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Jan 14, 2026	Kingman, AZ	N7783U	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Sep 02, 2021	Enterprise, OR	N3965S	Incident	substantial	The fatigue fracture of the nose gear upper torque link, which resulted in the separation of the torque link from the shock strut and a loss of direct… The fatigue fracture of the nose gear upper torque link, which resulted in the separation of the torque link from the shock strut and a loss of directional control.
Aug 30, 2013	Apex, NC	N3513S	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point on the runway, which resulted in a runway overrun and subsequent aircraft noseover.
Apr 22, 2009	Tucson, AZ	N3880S	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the gusting crosswinds.
Jan 23, 2009	Plano, TX	N5420T	Incident	substantial	A loss of engine power in flight due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate fuel planning.
Dec 09, 2007	Fair Bluff, NC	N3699S	Incident	destroyed	The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which failed to detect contaminated fuel, and subsequent loss of engine power.
Mar 16, 2007	Pleasanton, KS	N5759T	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a go-around. Contributing factors were the gusts and crosswinds.
Mar 14, 2007	Big Rapids, MI	N3622S	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff which led to the impact with the snow banks adjacent to the… The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff which led to the impact with the snow banks adjacent to the runway. The snow banks were contributing factors in the accident.
Jul 13, 2006	Big Lake, AK	N5560T	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from a transmission line while performing a low altitude maneuver, which resulted in an in-flight c… The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from a transmission line while performing a low altitude maneuver, which resulted in an in-flight collision with the transmission line.
Apr 22, 2006	Richmond, IN	N2985U	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the landing. Factors were the crosswind and gusts.
Apr 19, 2006	Wadena, MN	N5766T	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions during the landing. Factors were the crosswinds, the gusts, and the ditch.
Nov 21, 2004	Rupert, WV	N3750S	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s delayed application of carburetor heat, which resulted in a rough running engine. A factor was the bulldozer on the logging road where th… The pilot’s delayed application of carburetor heat, which resulted in a rough running engine. A factor was the bulldozer on the logging road where the pilot performed a precautionary landing.
Jul 04, 2004	La Junta, CO	N3581S	Incident	destroyed	the student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and adequate airspeed during the go-around resulting in an inadvertent stall. Contributing to… the student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and adequate airspeed during the go-around resulting in an inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident was the low airspeed and altitude.
Mar 21, 2004	Raymond, WA	N3950S	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll resulting in the aircraft nosing over. Incorrect remedial action and soft… The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll resulting in the aircraft nosing over. Incorrect remedial action and soft terrain were factors.
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.
Nov 13, 2003	Islip, NY	N5329T	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, which resulted in a nose over. A factor in this accident was the gusty wind conditions.
May 26, 2003	Hastings, FL	N817T	Incident	substantial	The failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane resulting in in-flight collision with terrain.
Jun 02, 2002	Navajo Dam, NM	N364SR	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure maintain directional control of the airplane during a touch and go landing which resulted in a collision with trees. A contributi… the pilot's failure maintain directional control of the airplane during a touch and go landing which resulted in a collision with trees. A contributing factor was the gusting wind conditions.
Dec 16, 2000	SALT LAKE CITY, UT	N96024	Incident	substantial	the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing. A factor was a total power loss due to a connecting rod failure.
Jul 24, 1999	EMERYVILLE, CA	N5784T	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning and inadequate fuel consumption calculations, resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhausti… The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning and inadequate fuel consumption calculations, resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Factors were the pilot's failure to have all appropriate flight manuals aboard the airplane and the low cloud ceilings.
Jan 26, 1999	GUYMON, OK	N5606T	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor was the gusty crosswind.
Jun 10, 1998	DEMOTTE, IN	N3933S	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate preflight planning that failed to ensure takeoff could be attained. Other related factors were the aborted takeoff, grass, and… The pilot's inadequate preflight planning that failed to ensure takeoff could be attained. Other related factors were the aborted takeoff, grass, and a dirt bank.
Jul 22, 1997	FITCHBURG, MA	N3553S	Incident	substantial	A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Mar 14, 1996	TOFTE, MN	N3898S	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to perform adequate preflight planning which resulted in landing at a closed airport. The snow covered runway was a factor.
Nov 26, 1995	LAJAS, PR	N3608S	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which resulted in a loss of power due to water in the fuel.

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 172E Safety Record

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