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
Aug 04, 1990	TRINITY CENTER, CA	N4205L	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED AND HIS FAILURE TO TOUCHDOWN AT THE PROPER LOCATION ON THE RUNWAY.
Mar 17, 1990	RIO HONDO, TX	N4696L	Incident	substantial	OIL STARVATION INDUCED POWER LOSS DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION AND THE … OIL STARVATION INDUCED POWER LOSS DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION AND THE SOFT TERRAIN IN WHICH THE FORCED LANDING WAS PERFORMED.
Mar 03, 1990	WANCHESE, NC	N3663L	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S PREMATURE, DISCONTINUED USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT.
Dec 02, 1989	SAVOY, IL	N3783L	Incident	substantial	IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS INABILITY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: … IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS INABILITY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE ADVERSE WIND CONDITION.
Aug 05, 1989	MCKINNEY, TX	N4377L	Incident	substantial	TOTAL FAILURE OF THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY/ROCKER ARM/TAPPET SHAFT.
Mar 11, 1989	COOLIDGE, GA	N1365F	Incident	substantial	FUEL CONTAMINATION OF AN UNKNOWN ORIGIN, FAILURE OF COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO LOCATE AND REMOVE ALL CONTAMINATION, CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE A… FUEL CONTAMINATION OF AN UNKNOWN ORIGIN, FAILURE OF COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO LOCATE AND REMOVE ALL CONTAMINATION, CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT BY THE PILOT AFTER THE CAUSE OF A KNOWN ENGINE PROBLEM WAS NOT DETERMINED, AND SUBSEQUENT FUEL STARVATION. THE LIGHT CONDITIONS AT DUSK AND THE SOFT TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.
Dec 16, 1988	VENICE, FL	N4419L	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Aug 30, 1988	SPARTA, MI	N6049R	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
May 01, 1988	LAS VEGAS, NM	N6059R	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Mar 24, 1988	SPRINGFIELD, MO	N72PF	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jun 13, 1987	CARIBBEAN SEA,	N4346W	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jun 08, 1987	STEUBENVILLE, OH	N3644L	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Apr 23, 1987	HOUSTON, TX	N1107F	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Dec 23, 1986	NEW PHILADELPHI, OH	N380LA	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jul 30, 1986	CARSON CITY, NV	N41041	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jun 06, 1986	CHARLSON, ND	N1136F	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Mar 02, 1986	NEW SMYRNA, FL	N3870L	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jan 21, 1986	SPRING, TX	N3373B	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Sep 01, 1985	DEEPWATER, MO	N3943L	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Mar 27, 1985	SHOW LOW, AZ	N3757L	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Feb 20, 1985	MOJAVE, CA	N1112F	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jun 14, 1984	FORKVILLE, MS	N3779L	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Dec 07, 1983	MACDOEL, CA	N6070R	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Sep 27, 1983	WOODFORD, VT	N3692L	Incident	destroyed	Investigation pending
Jun 18, 1983	LA PORTE CITY, IA	N3862L	Incident	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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Cessna 172G Safety Record

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