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
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.
Aug 30, 2003	Lemont Furnace, PA	N5628T	Minor	destroyed	The pilot's improper bounced landing recovery. A factor was the pilot's inadequate flare during the initial touchdown.
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 20, 2002	Troutdale, OR	N5383T	Minor	substantial	A loss of engine power for an undetermined (non-mechanical) reason. Contributing factors were high grass and soft terrain which lead to the collapse … A loss of engine power for an undetermined (non-mechanical) reason. Contributing factors were high grass and soft terrain which lead to the collapse of the nose gear during the landing roll.
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.
Apr 13, 2001	Bay City, TX	N5638T	Fatal (1)	destroyed	the pilot's delay in taking remedial action (contacting ATC) after he became lost/disoriented during a night cross country flight, which resulted in a… the pilot's delay in taking remedial action (contacting ATC) after he became lost/disoriented during a night cross country flight, which resulted in a forced landing due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing factors to the accident were the pilot's failure to contact a flight service station for a weather briefing, the low clouds and dark night light 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.
Apr 07, 2000	LUBBOCK, TX	N5682T	Minor	substantial	The pilot's incorrect positioning of the fuel selector which resulted in fuel starvation. Factors were the pilot's lack of familiarity with the fuel … The pilot's incorrect positioning of the fuel selector which resulted in fuel starvation. Factors were the pilot's lack of familiarity with the fuel system due to an inadequate checkout by a flight instructor, and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
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.
Jul 22, 1999	PEYTON, CO	N5696T	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing touchdown. Factors were the crosswind and the ditch.
May 20, 1999	MILLINGTON, TN	N5363T	Minor	substantial	Loss of engine power due to undetermined reasons. Factors were weather conditions favorable to carburetor ice and the terrain condition at the forced … Loss of engine power due to undetermined reasons. Factors were weather conditions favorable to carburetor ice and the terrain condition at the forced landing site.
Jan 26, 1999	GUYMON, OK	N5606T	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor was the gusty crosswind.
Jul 03, 1998	WATKINS, CO	N7780U	Minor	destroyed	The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather which resulted in an encounter with a microburst. Contributing was the airplane's climb capability e… The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather which resulted in an encounter with a microburst. Contributing was the airplane's climb capability exceeded by the microburst, and rising terrain.
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.
Nov 25, 1997	TOPEKA, KS	N5332T	Fatal (1)	substantial	the pilot's improper use of carburetor heat. Contributing factors were carburetor icing conditions, dark night conditions, and the transmission wire.
Oct 26, 1997	ELKTON, VA	N3097U	Fatal (1)	destroyed	The pilot's intention VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing factors were clouds and mountainous/hilly terrain..
Jul 22, 1997	FITCHBURG, MA	N3553S	Incident	substantial	A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Feb 01, 1997	WAXAHACHIE, TX	N5598T	Minor	destroyed	The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factors was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Apr 04, 1996	ROANOKE, VA	N5730T	Minor	destroyed	the pilot's misjudged estimation of the airplane's fuel supply for the flight. Related factors are the inadequate preflight inspection, the pilot's e… the pilot's misjudged estimation of the airplane's fuel supply for the flight. Related factors are the inadequate preflight inspection, the pilot's expectation that the airplane had been topped off, and the soft terrain encountered during the forced landing.
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.
Aug 20, 1995	ALPINE, TX	N5638T	Incident	minor	THE FAILURE OF THE PILOTS OF BOTH AIRPLANES TO SEE AND AVOID EACH OTHER. A FACTOR WAS THE CESSNA'S INOPERATIVE RADIO.
Jun 10, 1995	MUNCY VALLEY, PA	N3070U	Incident	substantial	the non-instrument rated pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain after inadvertently entering instrument meteorological conditions. The we… the non-instrument rated pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain after inadvertently entering instrument meteorological conditions. The weather conditions (haze and fog) were a factor in the accident.
May 16, 1993	MANASSAS, VA	N5416T	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION, DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF 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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