How many accidents has the Cessna 172G had?

The NTSB has recorded 141 events involving the Cessna 172G: 18 fatal, 17 serious, 27 minor injuries, and 79 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 172G a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 172G has 141 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 172G Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 141 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

141

All Events

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (37 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Feb 15, 2025	Syracuse, NY	N1178F	Incident	substantial	The truck driver’s to see and avoid the airplane, which resulted in a collision.
May 30, 2024	Greensboro, NC	N3687L	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and a subsequent loss of directional control.
May 16, 2024	Lakeport, CA	N4448L	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Sep 03, 2023	Neola, IA	N1374F	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning and improper in-flight decision-making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Jun 17, 2022	Bynum, TX	N2975U	Incident	substantial	The pilot was not able to stop the airplane on the remaining runway after an aborted takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and the airplane im… The pilot was not able to stop the airplane on the remaining runway after an aborted takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and the airplane impacting a fence.
Apr 02, 2022	Van Nuys, CA	N3901L	Incident	—	The student pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient distance behind a jet airplane which, resulted in his loss of airplane control due to the jet airpl… The student pilot’s failure to maintain sufficient distance behind a jet airplane which, resulted in his loss of airplane control due to the jet airplane’s jet blast and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.
Jun 02, 2021	Washington, CA	N3871L	Incident	substantial	A total loss of engine power during an enroute climb due to a stuck exhaust valve and multiple failed piston compression rings.
Jan 14, 2021	Kelso, WA	N5930R	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent nose over.
Nov 09, 2015	Newfane, NY	N3679L	Incident	substantial	An evasive maneuver during landing to avoid deer on the runway, which resulted in a runway overrun and collision with trees.
Apr 20, 2013	Reading, MI	N3682L	Incident	substantial	The partial loss of engine power due to the improper securing of the throttle linkage by maintenance personnel.
Feb 23, 2011	Clarksville, FL	N3740L	Incident	substantial	A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the owner's improper maintenance of the fuel selector valve, which resulted in a lack of … A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the owner's improper maintenance of the fuel selector valve, which resulted in a lack of fuel supply from the right fuel tank.
Nov 21, 2010	Winter Haven, FL	N3700L	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate preflight/inflight fuel planning resulting in fuel exhaustion and total loss of engine power.
Jun 12, 2007	Katy, TX	N4260L	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's improper flare and his failure to recover from a bounced landing.
Nov 17, 2006	Ankeny, IA	N1374F	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper decision to land on an unlighted runway at night, and her resulting failure to attain a proper touchdown point leading to the lan… The pilot's improper decision to land on an unlighted runway at night, and her resulting failure to attain a proper touchdown point leading to the landing over run. Contributing factors were the night (low light) condition and the ditch encountered during the overrun.
Nov 04, 2006	Dalton, GA	N4368L	Incident	destroyed	The pilot's improper starting procedures, which resulted in an on-ground engine fire.
Mar 22, 2006	Collins, MO	N4444L	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inaccurate fuel consumption calculations that resulted in fuel exhaustion, and the loss of engine power during cruise flight. An addition… The pilot's inaccurate fuel consumption calculations that resulted in fuel exhaustion, and the loss of engine power during cruise flight. An additional cause was the pilot's improper in-flight decision to continue when he believed his fuel gauges were erratic and unreliable.
Sep 07, 2003	Greenville, MI	N3811L	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate takeoff procedure with the use of 20 degrees of flaps. Contributing factors were the interrelated effects of high aircraft wei… The pilot's inadequate takeoff procedure with the use of 20 degrees of flaps. Contributing factors were the interrelated effects of high aircraft weight, the density altitude, and the relative humidity. An additional factor was the trees.
Aug 16, 2003	Bowdon, ND	N6057R	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which led to a stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience, the crosswin… The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which led to a stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience, the crosswind condition, wind gusts and power lines.
Mar 24, 2003	Packwood, WA	N4150L	Incident	substantial	Loss of partial engine power for undetermined reasons during the initial climb after takeoff. Loose gravel/sandy was a factor during the landing roll… Loss of partial engine power for undetermined reasons during the initial climb after takeoff. Loose gravel/sandy was a factor during the landing roll.
Nov 23, 2002	Stow, MA	N1152F	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance. A factor in this accident was gusty wind conditions.
Sep 18, 2002	Vail, AZ	N2982U	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate fuel consumption calculations, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
Apr 26, 2001	N. Little Rock, AR	N3860L	Incident	substantial	the pilot's delayed go-around on landing.
Jan 03, 2000	VICTORVILLE, CA	N3690L	Incident	substantial	The failure of the pilot to maintain positional awareness, which resulted in his becoming lost and disoriented. Contributing factors were the pilot's … The failure of the pilot to maintain positional awareness, which resulted in his becoming lost and disoriented. Contributing factors were the pilot's delay requesting assistance from air traffic control and the failure of the airplane's electrical generator.
Oct 28, 1999	ITTA BENA, MS	N1171F	Incident	substantial	a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons resulting in a forced landing that was short of the intended touchdown point, and the subsequent impac… a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons resulting in a forced landing that was short of the intended touchdown point, and the subsequent impact with the ground.
Oct 15, 1999	CAMBRIDGE, MN	N4621L	Incident	substantial	the fractured main landing gear due to the improper maintenance by an unknown person(s) and the inadequate annual inspection by an unqualified person.

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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Cessna 172G Safety Record

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