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, 2013	Meeteetse, WY	N516MA	Minor	substantial	The student pilot's inadequate preflight planning and failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain, which resulted in controlled flight into terr… The student pilot's inadequate preflight planning and failure to maintain clearance from rising terrain, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of situational awareness.
Sep 01, 2012	East Bend, NC	N377SP	Minor	substantial	A total loss of engine power during the initial climb after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the engine did not… A total loss of engine power during the initial climb after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Nov 27, 2010	Suisun City, CA	N5582T	Minor	substantial	A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Apr 25, 2009	Como, MS	N5683T	Minor	substantial	The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
May 23, 2007	Leesburg, VA	N3982S	Minor	substantial	The loss of engine power that resulted from the failure of an exhaust valve rocker arm during cruise.
Sep 05, 2004	Port Angeles, WA	N5788T	Minor	substantial	The pilot's inadequate inflight decision by failing to refuel while en route, resulting in fuel exhaustion and the loss of power. Factors contributin… The pilot's inadequate inflight decision by failing to refuel while en route, resulting in fuel exhaustion and the loss of power. Factors contributing to the accident included the fence and the ditch.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
May 28, 1990	GLENDALE, AZ	N3888S	Minor	substantial	FUEL EXHAUSTION. RESULTING FROM THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PERFORM REFUELING.
Jan 04, 1990	HAMMOND, LA	N3531S	Minor	destroyed	PILOT IN COMMAND'S INITIATION AND CONTINUATION OF THE FLIGHT INTO AN AREA OF KNOWN IMC WEATHER CONDITIONS AND HIS SUBSEQUENT INABILITY TO LAND PRIOR T… PILOT IN COMMAND'S INITIATION AND CONTINUATION OF THE FLIGHT INTO AN AREA OF KNOWN IMC WEATHER CONDITIONS AND HIS SUBSEQUENT INABILITY TO LAND PRIOR TO RUNNING OUT OF FUEL. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO EXERCISE GOOD JUDGEMENT AND HIS DISREGARD FOR THE FEDERAL AIR REGULATIONS.
Oct 01, 1988	HARRISON, AR	N3943S	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Aug 27, 1988	KATY, TX	N7746U	Minor	substantial	FUEL EXHAUSTION INDUCED POWER LOSS, WHICH NECESSITATED THE FORCED LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S DECISION TO ATTEMPT TO CONTIN… FUEL EXHAUSTION INDUCED POWER LOSS, WHICH NECESSITATED THE FORCED LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S DECISION TO ATTEMPT TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO REFUEL, AND BECOMING LOST DURING THAT EFFORT.
Apr 03, 1988	LEONA, TX	N8775U	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
May 31, 1987	HUNTINGBURG, IN	N5514T	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Apr 20, 1987	TUCSON, AZ	N3028U	Minor	minor	Investigation pending
Aug 30, 1986	LOWER LAKE, CA	N3651S	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
May 03, 1986	CLYDE, OH	N3960S	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Feb 10, 1985	HOBART, OK	N3818S	Minor	substantial	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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