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 10, 2005	Plattsmouth, NE	N4987R	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. A factor associated with the accide… The student pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions which resulted in a loss of aircraft control. A factor associated with the accident was the gusting crosswind.
Apr 17, 2005	Oakwood, GA	N1643F	Incident	substantial	Loss of engine power due to fuel system contamination.
Nov 28, 2004	Belle Plaine, MN	N2663L	Incident	substantial	A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during descent, and the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing.
Sep 28, 2004	Houston, TX	N189W	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a parked aircraft while taxiing. A contributing factor was the student pilot's anxiety attack.
Jul 24, 2003	Red Wing, MN	N8226L	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to follow the checklist resulting in fuel starvation and subsequent loss of engine power.
Jun 30, 2003	Plymouth, IN	N3832R	Incident	substantial	The collision with a deer during landing.
Jun 07, 2003	Glasgow, MT	N2786L	Incident	substantial	A loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. Contributing factors were carburetor icing conditions and the muddy, wet terrain at the landing site.
May 27, 2003	Council Bluffs, IA	N1730F	Incident	substantial	Misjudgment of the landing flare by the pilot in command resulting in a hard landing.
May 13, 2003	Somerville, TN	N1748F	Incident	substantial	The pilot's misjudged approach airspeed and distance which resulted in an undershoot of the runway and collision with terrain.
Aug 27, 2002	Fairbanks, AK	N3752F	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the airplane exiting the runway and colliding with obje… The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the airplane exiting the runway and colliding with objects. Factors contributing to the accident were the rough and uneven runway, and the premature lift-off of the airplane.
Apr 21, 2002	Ehrhardt, SC	N2815L	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to attain proper touchdown point while landing on a wet grass runway, resulting in the airplane departing the runway and impactin… the pilot's failure to attain proper touchdown point while landing on a wet grass runway, resulting in the airplane departing the runway and impacting with trees.
Feb 18, 2002	Hackensack, MN	N1463F	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the winds conditions which resulted in the failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors a… The pilot's inadequate compensation for the winds conditions which resulted in the failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors associated with the accident were the gusty crosswind conditions and the trees alongside the runway which the airplane contacted.
Oct 07, 2000	HILO, HI	N3715R	Incident	substantial	An inadvertent pilot-induced porpoise resulting from the pilot's improper landing flare and inadequate power management.
Jul 16, 2000	RAINELLE, WV	N1748F	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain a proper decent rate. A factor was the up-sloping runway.
Jul 03, 2000	KUTZTOWN, PA	N8805Z	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and his delay in remedial action.
Jul 01, 2000	FRIENDLY, MD	N1688F	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's inadequate compensation for winds that resulted in his failure to maintain runway alignment and a hard landing.
May 13, 2000	MESQUITE, TX	N2440L	Incident	substantial	The flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the student pilot during the landing.
May 11, 2000	PICAYUNE, MS	N5107G	Incident	destroyed	An in-flight fire in the vicinity of the firewall from an undetermined source. This resulted in a forced landing to an airport and total consumption o… An in-flight fire in the vicinity of the firewall from an undetermined source. This resulted in a forced landing to an airport and total consumption of the airplane by fire after landing.
May 01, 1999	SYLVAN SPRINGS, AL	N5105G	Incident	substantial	The total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Apr 10, 1999	NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV	N3289L	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff roll resulting in a collision with taxiway sign. A factor was the sign.
Jul 24, 1998	COMMERCE, TX	N3743R	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind resulting in a loss of control. A factor was the crosswind.
Feb 19, 1998	ST. PETERSBURG, FL	N1430F	Incident	substantial	a sudden encounter with wind gusts associated with a quickly passing rain shower which resulted in a nose-over, and subsequent collision with the runw… a sudden encounter with wind gusts associated with a quickly passing rain shower which resulted in a nose-over, and subsequent collision with the runway.
May 05, 1997	WESTMINISTER, MD	N3748F	Incident	destroyed	The pilot misjudged landing distance on the runway and his failure to perform a go-around.
Nov 27, 1996	HAMMOND, LA	N2440L	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate preflight, resulting in the total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Oct 05, 1996	CHATHAM, MA	N3707R	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's lack of experience in the make and m… the pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing. A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's lack of experience in the make and model of airplane.

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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