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
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.
Dec 27, 1992	RAMAH, CO	N3196F	Incident	substantial	A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE NUMBER ONE CONNECTING ROD. A FACTOR WAS: A FORCED LANDING ONTO UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.
May 01, 1992	CONCORD, NC	N5529T	Incident	substantial	THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER BECAUSE OF THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE.
Sep 27, 1991	BURNS, OR	N5680T	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S DELAY IN COMPUTING AIRCRAFT FUEL CONSUMPTION AND HIS FAILURE TO LAND AT AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT ALONG THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT. FACTORS RELATING T… THE PILOT'S DELAY IN COMPUTING AIRCRAFT FUEL CONSUMPTION AND HIS FAILURE TO LAND AT AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT ALONG THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE TREE BY THE LANDING AREA AND THE IMPROPER MAINTENANCE ADJUSTMENT OF THE RIGHT MAGNETO.
Aug 22, 1991	HARBOR SPRINGS, MI	N3891S	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT WAS HIS DELAY IN INITIATING THE GO-AROUND.
May 31, 1991	GRUNDY CENTER, IA	N3663S	Incident	substantial	FAILURE BY OTHER MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO INSTALL A SAFETY WIRE AND FUEL EXHAUSTION.
Jul 30, 1989	YERINGTON, NV	N14454	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING A LANDING GO-AROUND IN HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE CONDITIONS.
Jun 26, 1989	MARIPOSA, CA	N7744U	Incident	substantial	STUDENT PILOT'S MISCALCULATION OF THE FUEL SUPPLY WHICH LED TO A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.
Jun 18, 1989	GRASS VALLEY, CA	N3618S	Incident	substantial	FAILURE TO PERFORM MAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS PRESCRIBED BY THE MAGNETO, ENGINE AND AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS. THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND TERRAIN CONDITI… FAILURE TO PERFORM MAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS PRESCRIBED BY THE MAGNETO, ENGINE AND AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS. THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND TERRAIN CONDITIONS WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.
Nov 11, 1987	PLACERVILLE, CA	N5577T	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Sep 06, 1987	LEBANON, OH	N3970S	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jun 29, 1987	DENMARK, GA	N7734U	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Apr 23, 1987	MOORHEAD, IA	N3777S	Incident	substantial	ACCORDING TO FAA STATEMENTS, THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF FROM A TAXIWAY WHEN A WING DIPPED. THE PILOT THEN LOST CONTROL AS THE WING DRAGGED, CA… ACCORDING TO FAA STATEMENTS, THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF FROM A TAXIWAY WHEN A WING DIPPED. THE PILOT THEN LOST CONTROL AS THE WING DRAGGED, CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO GROUND LOOP/SWERVE ONTO THE TERRAIN. THE NOSE GEAR TIRE BLEW DURING THE SWERVE AND THE NOSE GEAR ASSEMBLY COLLAPSED BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO A STOP. THE TAIL SECTION OF THE AIRPLANE WAS ALSO DAMAGED, AS WELL AS THE WING TIPS. THE PILOT DID NOT RESPOND TO INQUIRIES ABOUT THE ACCIDENT.
Mar 16, 1987	MUNCIE, IN	N7757U	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Aug 22, 1985	VILLA RICA, GA	N8499U	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Mar 04, 1985	CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY	N3969S	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jan 18, 1985	SAN CARLOS, AZ	N3820S	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Sep 01, 1984	PALMER, AK	N5425T	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jul 21, 1984	ELK GROVE, CA	N3587S	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jun 18, 1984	VERO BEACH, FL	N5463T	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jun 10, 1984	WATERLOO, IA	N5614T	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jan 02, 1984	SELMA, CA	N5314T	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Oct 07, 1983	CINCINNATI, OH	N5728T	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
May 01, 1982	MARIETTA, GA	N3715S	Incident	minor	Investigation pending

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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