How many accidents has the Cessna 172H had?

The NTSB has recorded 180 events involving the Cessna 172H: 25 fatal, 28 serious, 30 minor injuries, and 97 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 172H a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 172H has 180 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 172H Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 180 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

180

All Events

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (43 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
May 19, 2023	Seattle, WA	N2550L	Minor	substantial	A stuck exhaust valve that resulted in a partial loss of engine power and a forced water ditching.
Jun 05, 2010	Bountiful, UT	N3948R	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Contributing to the accident was the high density altitude.
Jun 01, 2010	Dania Beach, FL	N1435F	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Mar 06, 2005	Waldport, OR	N8100L	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to attain sufficient altitude/clearance during the takeoff initial climb, which resulted in an inflight collision with trees. A f… The pilot's failure to attain sufficient altitude/clearance during the takeoff initial climb, which resulted in an inflight collision with trees. A factor was the tall grass on the turf runway, which slowed the airplane's acceleration during the takeoff roll.
Nov 26, 2003	Wichita Falls, TX	N8058L	Minor	destroyed	The loss of engine power due to an obstruction in the fuel line.
Oct 15, 2003	Manvel, TX	N3760R	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the attempted go-around resulting in an inadvertent stall. A contributing factor was the pilot's fail… The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the attempted go-around resulting in an inadvertent stall. A contributing factor was the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the crosswind landing.
Jun 11, 2003	East Vincent, PA	N3027U	Minor	substantial	The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/preparation which resulted in fuel exhaustion during cruise flight. The pilot's inadequate preflight prepar… The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/preparation which resulted in fuel exhaustion during cruise flight. The pilot's inadequate preflight preparation in which he failed to refuel the airplane is a contributing factor.
Mar 08, 2003	Callao, MO	N275SW	Minor	substantial	A loss of engine power due to the erosion of the number 2 piston, resulting in loss of compression on that cylinder. Contributing factors were the ta… A loss of engine power due to the erosion of the number 2 piston, resulting in loss of compression on that cylinder. Contributing factors were the tailwind, the muddy runway condition, and the roadway and ditch.
Dec 04, 2002	Leeds, MA	N2706L	Minor	substantial	The flight instructor's failure to ensure adequate fuel onboard, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power.
Sep 22, 2002	Weed, CA	N2469L	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to follow adequate hand propping engine starting procedures.
Nov 15, 2000	KALKASKA, MI	N1706F	Minor	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control on the ground. Factors relating to this accident were the student pilot's improper abort pro… The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control on the ground. Factors relating to this accident were the student pilot's improper abort procedures, the sign, and the ditch.
Jul 12, 1999	FALMOUTH, KY	N3213L	Minor	substantial	A stuck intake-valve on the number one cylinder which resulted in a loss of engine power.
Oct 16, 1998	CONROE, TX	N2513L	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with trees. Factors were the fogged front windshield and side windows.
Oct 22, 1994	TRES PIEDRAS, NM	N2721L	Minor	destroyed	THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE INFLIGHT PLANNING WHICH LED TO MANEUVERING AT SLOW AIRSPEED TO AVOID TERRAIN WHICH RESULTED IN FURTHER LOSS OF AIRSPEED AND AN … THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE INFLIGHT PLANNING WHICH LED TO MANEUVERING AT SLOW AIRSPEED TO AVOID TERRAIN WHICH RESULTED IN FURTHER LOSS OF AIRSPEED AND AN AERODYNAMIC STALL.
Dec 31, 1993	CHEYENNE, WY	N3734F	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT'S POOR IN FLIGHT DECISION. FACTORS INCLUDE HIGH WINDS, GUSTS, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE OPERATING IN HIGH WIND CONDITIONS.
Nov 01, 1993	MCKENZIE BRIDGE, OR	N6629H	Minor	substantial	A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.
Dec 12, 1992	COLUMBUS, GA	N8819Z	Minor	substantial	THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO PLAN A REFUELING STOP FOR THE FLIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN THE COMPLETE EXHAUSTION OF THE FUEL SUPPLY AND A LOSS OF ENGINE … THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO PLAN A REFUELING STOP FOR THE FLIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN THE COMPLETE EXHAUSTION OF THE FUEL SUPPLY AND A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.
Sep 27, 1991	ATLANTIC OCEAN, AO	N2983U	Minor	substantial	TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS.
Apr 09, 1991	MOREHEAD, KY	N3781F	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT'S OPERATION OF HIS AIRCRAFT IN EXCEEDINGLY HIGH WIND CONDITIONS.
Oct 04, 1990	EMPORIA, KS	N3226L	Minor	substantial	GUSTY CROSSWINDS, EXCESSIVE FLAP SETTING, AND LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF OPERATION.
Jun 22, 1990	BROOKVILLE, OH	N715HR	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN POSITIVE CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHILE ENCOUNTERING GUSTY, SHIFTY WINDS AND WINDSHEAR DURING THE INITIAL CLIMBOUT AFTE… THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN POSITIVE CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHILE ENCOUNTERING GUSTY, SHIFTY WINDS AND WINDSHEAR DURING THE INITIAL CLIMBOUT AFTER TAKEOFF.
Jul 12, 1989	HATTON, ND	N3269L	Minor	destroyed	IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE ABOVE THE GROUND. THE TAILWIND, HIGH OBSTRUCTION (S… IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE ABOVE THE GROUND. THE TAILWIND, HIGH OBSTRUCTION (SHELTER BELT), AND DOWNDRAFT WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.
Apr 03, 1989	ODENTON, MD	N8027L	Minor	substantial	THE INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH BIRDS.
Dec 01, 1987	PADUCAH, KY	N2522L	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Feb 16, 1987	CARRIZOZO, NM	N1741F	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 172H Safety Record

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